Black ash is a medium-sized dioecious tree in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is native to eastern Canada and the northeastern United States from western Newfoundland to northern VA and east to Indiana and North Dakota. The specific epithet is Latin for “black.” The nearly black stem buds and inner bark give it the common name of black ash. Black ash grows in peat and muck soils but also tolerates sandy loams along waterways. It tolerates sun to part shade and acidic to alkaline soils. Black ash typically grows in bogs, along streams, or in poorly drained areas that often are seasonally flooded. It can reach 50 to 65 feet tall, with an open pyramidal crown. Unfortunately, the species has been devastated by the eastern ash borer since 2014 throughout its native range. Black Ash wood is highly flexible and readily separates into thin strips, making it useful in applications requiring bending. It has been used for barrel hoops, chair seats, canoe ribs, and basket making. It could be used as a shade tree if given the right conditions. Potential disease, insect, and other problems: See potential insect and disease problem factsheets to the left VIDEO created by Grant L. Thompson for “ Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping ” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University . More information on Fraxinus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
Available space
more than 60 feet
Mature size
Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 65 ft. 0 in. | Width: 50 ft. 0 in. - 65 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Open; Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The odd pinnately green compound leaves have 7-11 leaflets that are 3-5 by 1-2 inches. Shape is oblong to oblong-lance. Margins are serrated and the undersides are lighter green with some hairs. Only the terminal leaflet is stalked.
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
The tree is dioecious, with separate male and female trees. The female flowers occur in loose panicles. The male flowers occur in tighter dense clusters. Flowering occurs in spring before leaf-out.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruit is a samara with one wing and 1 seed dispursed by the wind.
Bark detail
The bark is gray-brown with blocky furrow on mature trees. The inner bark is nearly black
Stem detail
Stout, light brown to gray twigs with opposite buds that are nearly black.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
South Eastern Canada, North Central and North Eastern U.S.A.
Distribution
CT , DC , DE , IA , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Wildlife value
Falling leaves provide food to tadpoles. It also provides a home to the long-horned beetle, birds and mammals. Butterfly and moth larvae also feed on the leaves.
Attracts
Butterflies; Frogs; Moths; Small Mammals; Songbirds