44 



SHADE TREES FOR NORTH CAROLINA. 



Ashes (Fraxi nus) . — There are many species of this genus whicn are 

 siiitable for planting. Of the six native species, however, only four are 

 to be particularly recommended : Green ash, deep swamp ash, white and 

 Biltmore ashes. 



Green Ash (Fraxinm lanceolata) is found along streams throughout 

 the State, except possibly in the high mountains. In cultivation it is a 

 middle-sized tree, seldom more than 50 feet high, making rapid growth in 

 youth, reaching its best development about its thirtieth year and remain- 

 ing for many years in excellent condition. The slender trunk covered 

 with regularly furrowed gray-brown bark divides into many spreading 

 and ascending straight branches which form a globose crown. 



The green ash has opposite bright green compound leaves formed of 

 numerous small leaflets which cast a rather light shade, often turning a 

 dull brown in autumn. They appear late in spring and are rather early 

 deciduous. The flowers are inconspicuous, but the drooping clusters of 

 fruit add much life to the foliage during summer and autumn. The 

 twigs are stout, straight and, like the branches, often forked. The root 

 system consists of numerous rather deeply seated roots. The trees are 

 easily transplanted. Tlie crown will endure only moderate pruning and 

 the leader in young trees should not be cut until the stem has made the 

 desired height. The stem of the ash is prone to fork and this should be 

 guarded against, for although the wood is elastic and not easily broken 

 by storms, forking stems will frequently split. Wounds do not heal rap- 

 idly and scars on old trees which show any heart wood must be kept well 

 painted to prevent decay. With this exception, the trees are quite free 

 from diseases and insects. For its best development, green ash requires 

 a good soil not too hard and dry. Eeproduction is easily effected by seed 

 which are borne in abundance. Trees should be spaced 30 feet. 



Swamp Ash {Fraximis profunda) is found along the larger streams 

 south of Morganton and east of Salisbury. It is a large tree making rapid 

 growth in youth and reaching its best development about its thirtieth 

 year, and remaining for many years in good health. The rather stout 

 trunk, which is covered with very deeply and regularly chiseled bro\vn- 

 gray bark, divides into rather few spreading and ascending straight, fre- 

 qixently forked branches, which form a large globose or spreading crown. 



The swamp ash has compound foliage much like that of the green ash 

 but larger, more leathery, drooping and decidedly whitened beneath. The 

 flowers, fruit, twigs and root system are also quite similar to those of the 

 green ash. Although a swamp tree, it makes rapid growth in cultivation 

 as a shade tree on uplands and is the ash most frequently planted in the 



