126 Xative Trees of Kentucky 



a. IVliitc Ash Fra.rinus aincricana. 



The White Ash reaches its best development in rich bottom- 

 lands of river valleys, but is distributed throughout the State in 

 association with other hard woods. Because White Ash floated 

 easily and brought a good price, the commercial supply of Ken- 

 tucky is now limited ; but the tree is a prolific seeder, sprouts 

 abundantly from stumps and grows with fair rapidity. 



The strong, elastic wood seasons without injury and takes a 

 fine polish ; these qualities place it in the first rank for interior 

 finishings, furniture, car and carriage building, and agricultural 

 implements. Ordinarily, curly growth in Ash is on one side of 

 the tree, though trees have been found with the entire circum- 

 ference figured ; these figures run crosswise of the tree, resem- 

 bling bird's eye in Maple. Curly Ash commands the highest price 

 as fancy grain and is exported to foreign countries principally 

 for inlaid work. White Ash has great value as a shade tree. 



The flowers are usually of two kinds, staminate and pistillate, 

 in loose panicles on separate trees ; sometimes both kinds in same 

 cluster. 



Tree large trunk, with broad, round, graceful head. 



Bark gray, closely furrowed ; new shoots smooth, olive 

 green. 



Leaves 5 to 9 leaflets, stalked, sharp-pointed, with pale under 

 surface. 



Fruit keys in loose pendent clusters ; each key with a long 

 slender wing like a paddle. 



