THE RED ASH 



THE Red Ash or River Ash is easily recognized at any season of the year by the 

 distinct pubescence upon the bark of the young twigs. In summer the leaflets 

 are seen to be distinctly stalked like those of the White Ash, but differing from 

 that species in that the stalks, the petioles, and more or less of the under surface of the 

 leaves, are covered with fine hairs. The under surface of the blade is lighter green than 

 the upper surface. In autumn the leaflets become first yellowish, then brownish, falling 

 to the ground rather early. The fruit is similar to that of the White Ash, except that the 

 wing instead of being terminal extends well down the sides of the basal seed-bearing parts. 



The Red Ash is a rare tree in comparison with the abundant White Ash. It occurs 

 along river banks and is found over a wide territory, extending from New Brunswick to 

 Manitoba on the north, to Dakota and Missouri on the west, and to Alabama and Florida 

 on the south. Like the Black Ash it is sometimes called the Brown Ash. It is easily started 

 from seed, and has almost as many claims for landscape planting as has the White Ash. 



The Red Ash is one of the trees most easily recognized in winter on account of the 

 grayish pubescence on the bark of the young branches. The surface of the bark is marked 

 by slight longitudinal striations and numerous whitish oval dots which are often concealed 

 by the pubescence. The buds are dark brown, and rather small, with the surface of the 

 scales distinctly downy. The terminal buds are broadly wedge-shaped, while the others 

 are generally rounded. 



Three horticultural forms of the Red Ash have already been developed : in one of 

 these the leaflets are blotched with yellow and are not so hairy as in the normal type; 

 in another the leaflets are very dark, shining green; in the third the leaflets are also dark, 

 shining green but are much larger and more slender. 



(278) 



