How to identify Black ash (Fraxinus nigra)

How to identify Black ash (Fraxinus nigra)

Black ash is a deciduous tree with a notable open pyramidal crown structure, extending to a mature height of 50-65 feet (15-20 meters). Its signature trait lies in the dark stem buds and inner bark, which lead to its naming inspiration. This tree usually sports compound leaves and develops in areas with surplus moisture, often seasonally inundated, providing a distinct habitat preference visible in natural settings.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Black ash

Odd pinnately compound leaves with 7-11 oblong leaflets, serrated margins, and a lighter undersurface.

Distinctive dark stem buds and inner bark against light brown to gray twigs.

Inconspicuous pale yellow-green flowers lacking petals, about 0.2 inches (5 mm) in diameter.

Fruit is a greenish to brownish samara with a single elongated wing, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long.

Robust trunk with dark inner bark, deep blocky furrows, and several inches thick protective bark.

Detailed Traits of Black ash

Leaf Features

The odd pinnately compound leaves of black ash feature 7-11 leaflets, each measuring 3-5 inches (7.5-12.5 cm) long and 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) wide. The leaflets are oblong to oblong-lance in shape, with serrated margins. Their upper surfaces are green, while the undersides are a lighter green with some hairs. The terminal leaflet is the only one with a stalk.

Leaf Base

Cuneate

Leaf Arrangement

Fascicled

Leaf Texture

Papyraceous

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of black ash are inconspicuous and lack petals, appearing in early spring before the leaves emerge. Male flowers form dense clusters, while female flowers grow in loose panicles. Both types are small, typically about 0.2 inches (5 mm) in diameter, and lack a noticeable scent. The color of the flowers is generally a pale yellow-green, which serves to blend with the budding foliage around them during the blooming period.

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Stem Features

The stem of black ash features stout, light brown to gray twigs with a diameter typically ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 inches (0.64 to 1.27 cm). The twigs exhibit a smooth texture and an opposite branching pattern. The buds are nearly black, providing a distinctive contrast against the lighter twigs. These characteristics, along with the twig's coloration and opposite bud arrangement, are critical for identifying black ash.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of black ash is a samara, a specialized type of fruit characterized by a wing-like structure that aids in wind-dissemination. This samara typically has a single, elongated wing extending from a central seed. The seed is encased in a smooth, flat body which is pivotal for its aerial journey. The fruit is generally greenish to brownish in color, matching with the tree’s foliage, and becomes dry and papery as it matures. The size of the fruit, including its wing, is approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in length, a size that enables buoyancy and distribution by the wind. This feature is vital for the propagation of black ash, as it allows the seed to travel away from the parent tree to find suitable ground for germination.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Black ash and Their Similar Plants

Green ash vs. Black ash: What's The Difference?

If you are looking for an excellent shade tree, consider planting a green ash. This tree is capable of completely blocking sunlight with its dense canopy of compound leaves, which make a brilliant yellow display in the fall. Aggressive growth of over 61 cm per year makes this a tree that can quickly be providing shade in your backyard.

White ash vs. Black ash: What's The Difference?

White ash is a species of ash tree native to North America. Its leaves turn distinctly bright yellow or red in the autumn. *Fraxinus americana* is a fast-growing pioneer species that often inhabits riparian zones, and fragmented and disturbed habitats. It is similar in appearance to green ash (Fraxinus americana) and sometimes it is hard to tell between the two.

Oregon ash vs. Black ash: What's The Difference?

Fraxinus latifolia is a native of the Pacific Northwest area of the United States. Part of its Latin name, 'latifolia' means wide leaves. This tree has wider leaves than other species of ash. Oregon ash can grow to heights of 18 m to 24 m in height, with a trunk diameter of 41 to 76 cm.

Blue ash vs. Black ash: What's The Difference?

Blue ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata) is a flowering plant species that is indigenous to the midwestern United States. Blue ash grows in moist valley soils and serves as an important food source for frogs.

Pumpkin ash vs. Black ash: What's The Difference?

Pumpkin ash, or Fraxinus profunda, is a species of ash tree that grows mainly in swamps in the eastern United States. This medium-sized deciduous tree is critically endangered because the feeding habits of the emerald ash borer has caused a decline in pumpkin ash population.

Raywood ash vs. Black ash: What's The Difference?

It is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 20 to 30 m tall with a trunk up to 1.5 m diameter. The bark is smooth and pale grey on young trees, becoming square-cracked and knobbly on old trees. The buds are pale brown, which readily distinguishes it from the related Fraxinus excelsior (black buds) even in winter.

Carolina ash vs. Black ash: What's The Difference?

Carolina ash is a wetland-loving tree notable for its long, feathery leaves and grey bark, thriving alongside riverbanks and in swampy areas of the southeastern United States. Its winged seeds, grouped in clusters, enable it to propagate effectively in its humid habitat, while its ability to tolerate water saturation aids in stabilizing these ecosystems.

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Key Facts About Black ash

Attributes of Black ash

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

15 m to 20 m

Spread

11 m to 15 m

Leaf Color

Green

Stem Color

Green

Brown

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Black ash

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Mints plantains olives and allies

Family

Olive

Genus

Ashes

Species

Black ash (Fraxinus nigra)

Learn More About the Black ash

Distribution Map of Black ash

Black ash is native to the temperate forests of the Northern Hemisphere. It has been introduced and cultivated in regions renowned for their botanical diversity. Black ash can adapt to a range of climatic conditions, which has allowed it to be successfully established outside its native range, including continents like South America.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Black ash

A Comprehensive Guide to Black ash How to Grow and Care for Black ash