216 



RED ASH. 

 Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Marshall. 



FORM — Tree of middle or large size, osuallj- attaining a height of 30-60 ft. with a diameter 

 of 1-3 ft., but may reach a height of 70 ft. with a diameter of 5 feet: Trunk similar to that 

 of White Ash. but smaller and bearing numerous upright branches which form a rather irregular 

 and compact crown. 



BARK — Grayish-brown, roughened by numerous fissures separating prominent ridges which in 

 time become scaly. Fissures usually diamond-shaped. Ridges often subdivided by transverse 

 secondary Assures. 



TWIGS — Similar to those of the White Ash but not so stout and covered with a dense velvety 

 pubescence, or sometimes almost smooth. See "Twigs'* under White Ash, page 214. 



BUDS — Opposite; terminal bud present: ovate, brown, covered by brownish scales, 2 pairs 

 of which are usually visible. Scales of the lateral buds usually have an obtuse apex while those 

 of the terminal buds have a more acute apex. See "Buds" under White Ash, page 214. 



LEAVES — Opposite, compound, about 11 Inches long, with 5-9 stalked leaflets. Leaflets from 

 3-5 inches long, 1-lJ inches wide, ovate, acute at apex, slightly toothed on margin, wedge- 

 shaped at base. At first coated on the lower surface with white tomontum, later becoming 

 yellowish-green above, and decidedly velvety-pubescent beneath. 



LEAF-SCARS — Opposite: semicircular In outline, conspicuous, slightly notched on the upper 

 margin; liunjlc-scars numerous, usually small, and arranged in a curved line. Sometimes a 

 number of bundle-scars unite to form a compound bundle-scar. 



FLOWERS — .\ppear about May before or with the leaves. Staminate and pistillate are 

 usually borne on different trees. Staminate occur in dense purplish-red clusters: pistillate In 

 open greenish-red panicles. 



FRUIT — A samara, borne in open panicles which often persist far into winter. The individual 

 samara varies in length from 1-2 Inches, and consists of a seed bearing portion and a winged 

 portion. Fruit resembles that of the White A.ih, but has the winged portion attached not only 

 to the apes of the seed but also along the sides, while the White Ash has the wing attached 

 at the apex only. 



WOOD — Ring-porous: heavy, hard, rather strong, light brown, with rather wide and light 

 colored sapwood. Pores in the spring and summer wood are similar to those of the White 

 Ash, but the lines of pores In the summer wood are longer than in the White Ash. Weighs 

 44.85 lbs. per cubic foot. Used for the same purposes as the White Ash, but is somewhat in- 

 ferior to it from a commercial i>oint of view. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS — The Red Ash can be distinguished at any season of 

 the year from tlie other species of Ash native to Pennsylvania by Its velvety-pubescent twigs 

 and petioles. In addition it can he distinguished from the White .\sh by Its fruit, the wings of 

 which are attached to the apex and the sides of the seeds, while those of the White Ash arc at- 

 tached at the apex only. The leaUets of tlie Red Ash are decidedly stalked while those of the 

 Black Ash are sessile. The buds of the Red Ash are brown in color and usually obtuse, while 

 tliose of the Black Ash are black in color and usually acute. The bark of the Red Ash is 

 prominently-Assured while that of the Black Ash is not Assured but decidedly scaly and 

 presents somewhat of a corky appearance. 



RANGE — Vermont west to Minnesota and southward to Florida and Texas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA — Found in the eastern and southern parts of the State. 



Not known lo occur in other parts. 



HABITAT — Prefers rich soil in valleys; also found in swampy lowlands and along the margins 

 of streams, lakes, and ponds; occasionally found upon ratlier dry hillsides. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES — The Red Ash in many respects resembles the White Ash, 

 but it is of less economic importance since it does not attain so large a size as the White Ash, 

 its wood is not quite so valuable, and it requires a somewhat moister soil. The White 

 Ash will grow in all places where the Red Ash thrives, and consequently the White Ash ahonld 

 be favored. It is sometimes planted for ornamental purposes but the White Ash is generally 

 regarded more attractive and just as free from the attacks of insects and fungi. The only 

 place where the Red Ash could be recommended for planting for forestry purposes would be in 

 such situations where it is too wet for the White Ash to thrive. 



