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WHITE ASH. 



Fraxinus americana, Linnaeus. 



FORM Usually reaches a height of 70-80 ft. with a diameter of 2-3 ft., but may attain a 

 height of 120 ft. with a diameter of 5-6 ft. Trunk usually tall, massive, clear from branches 

 for a considerable distance from the ground when grown in the forest, bearing a narrow, some- 

 what pyramidal crown. When open grown the crown is decidedly round-topped and often extends 

 almost to the ground. In forest grown trees trunk often continuous and dividing into a 

 number of spreading branches. 



BARK Grayish-brown, rather thick upon older trunks, decidedly divided by diamond-shaped 

 fissures into rather flattened ridges which are covered by thin, close-fitting scales. Longitudinal 

 ridges often transversely-fissured so that the primary fissures are connected. See Fig. 86. 



TWIGS Opposite, stout, usually smooth, sometimes covered with a slight bloom, decidedly 

 flattened at the nodes. During the first winter grayish-brown in color, and decidedly lustrous; 

 covered by scattered, large, pale lenticels. 



BUDS Opposite, ovate, blunt-pointed, usually dark brown, occasionally almost black. Term- 

 inal bud larger than laterals, covered by 2-3 pairs of visible scales which occur opposite each 

 other. Scales on the terminal buds may be somewhat sharp-pointed, while those on the lateral 

 buds are usually obtuse. Two lateral buds are usually found 'at base of terminal bud causing a 

 terminal enlargement of twig. 



LEAVES Opposite, compound, about 10 inches long with 5-9 leaflets. Leaflets 3-5 inches 

 long, about 15 inches broad, evidently-stalked, slightly serrate on margin, acute at apex, 

 wedge-shaped to rounded at bas'e. When full grown usually smooth and dark green above and 

 pale below. A few hairs are sometimes found along the veins on the lower surface. 



LEAF-SCARS Opposite, semi-circular in outline, notched on the upper margin, raised, con- 

 spicuous; bundle-scars small, numerous, arranged in a curved line. 



FLOWERS Appear about May before the leaves. The staminate and pistillate on different 

 trees. Staminate occur in dense reddish-purple clusters: pistillate in rather open panicles. 



FRUIT -A samara borne in dense drooping panicles about 7 inches long. Panicles often persist 

 far into winter. Individual samara 1-2 inches long, consists of a seed bearing portion and a 

 winged portion. Seed portion round in cross-section, terminated by the wing which aids in the 

 dispersal of the seed. Since some trees bear staminate flowers only, seeds are never found upon 

 them. Trees bearing pistillate flowers alone produce seeds. 



WOOD Ring-porous; very heavy and strong, odorless and tasteless, tough, elastic, and brown, 

 with thick and much lighter colored sapAvood. Pores in spring wood large, usually 3-10 rows 

 wide. Pores in summer wood isolated or in groups of 2-3, and usually joined by wood paren- 

 chyma. Weighs 40.77 Ibs. per cubic foot. Used in the manufacture of agricultural implements, 

 wagon building, furniture, interior finishing of houses, and for tool handles. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The White Ash, also known as the Canadian Ash, 

 can be distinguished from the Black Ash by its leaves, which have stalked leaflets, while the 

 leaflets of the Black Ash arc sessile. The buds of the White Ash are usually obtuse and brown 

 in color, while those of the Black Ash are usually acute and black in color. The bark of the 

 White Ash is usually furrowed and has diamond-shaped fissures between the ridges, while the 

 bark of the Black Ash is scaly, often corky and not furrowed. It can be distinguished from the 

 Red Ash by its smooth leaves and twigs. Those of the Red Ash are usually velvety-pubescent. 

 The leaf -scars of the White Ash are usually evidently-indented in the upper margin, while 

 those of the Red Ash are not. The seeds of the White Ash have wings which are fastened only 

 to the apex of the seed, while in the Red Ash they are fastened to the apex and often extend 

 down along the sides, and in the Black Ash the wing usually surrounds the seed. 



RANGE Nova Scotia to Minnesota and southward to Florida and Texas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Generally distributed throughout the State. Common 

 in the eastern, southern, and western parts. Sparse in the mountainous parts, except in moist 

 valleys and rich bottomlands. 



HABITAT Prefers fertile, moist soils; very common in rich, moist woods and along streams, 

 lakes, and other bodies of water. Occasionally found on rather dry hillsides. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES The White Ash is one of the most important timber trees 

 of Pennsylvania on account of the large size which it attains, its general distribution through- 

 out the State, its rapid growth, as well as its immunity from the attack of fungous diseases 

 and insects. Nature did not produce it in pure stands, hence in developing our future forests we 

 should aim to follow nature and plant White Ash in mixture with some other desirable species. 

 White Ash and White Pine will undoubtedly prove to be a valuable mixture. 



