66 TREES AND TREE-PLANTING. 
River and its branches as far north as Bureau County, 
beyond which it becomes rare. It is about two feet in 
diameter, and reaches sixty or seventy feet in height. Its 
distinguishing trait from other members of its species 
is the triangular shape of the young shoots. The bark 
of old trees is not like that of the white ash, deeply fur- 
rowed, and divided into small spaces. The blue ash has 
the same qualities as other members of the ash genus, 
but possesses in a greater degree durability when ex- 
posed to the alternations of dryness and moisture: this 
quality has been satisfactorily proven in its use for posts, 
rails, stakes, etc., in rural fences; where it grows it 
is employed for the same purposes as the white ash. 
Michana claims that a blue color can be extracted from 
the inner bark, and doubtless from this fact it has de- 
rived its name. It is planted and treated the same as 
the white ash, but I would suggest a more southern cli- 
mate than for the white ash—south of latitude 40°. 
BLACK ASH 
has the same characteristics as others of the ash family : 
its chief use is in the manufacture of barrels, baskets, 
and hoops for barrels, but it is less durable than others 
of its species when exposed to the weather. When green 
it can scarcely be burned, but when seasoned is very 
good fuel. A great deal of alkali can be obtained from 
its ashes. It can be raised on ground that is too wet to 
produce other valuable kinds of timber; it is to be plant- 
ed the same as others of its species. 
RED ASH 
is said to be more numerous than any of its brethren 
in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, 
Doctor Gray affirms that it is very rare west of the 
Alleghanies, but it is found in various portions of Iowa 
and Illinois. Its uses are the same as the white and 
blue ashes, and it has all the properties for which they 
