Practical
Plants

Fraxinus quadrangulata

Blue Ash

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Fraxinus genus in the family Oleaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Oleaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
20 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A blue dye is obtained from the inner bark[8][9][12]. The bark is ground into a powder and then steeped in water in order to obtain the dye[5]. Wood - hard, heavy, close-grained, durable, but not strong and is somewhat brittle. It weighs 47lb per cubic foot. The wood is largely used for flooring, the interior finishes of houses, construction etc[9][10][12][3][6][7].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
Central N. America - Ontario to Alabama and Kansas.
Habitat
Dry or moist rich woods[8], especially on limestone hills[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed is best harvested green - as soon as it is fully developed but before it has fully dried on the tree - and can then be sown immediately in a cold frame[11]. It usually germinates in the spring[11]. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as possible in a cold frame[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions or a nursery bed in late spring or early summer of the following year. If you have sufficient seed then it is possible to sow it directly into an outdoor seedbed, preferably in the autumn. Grow the seedlings on in the seedbed for 2 years before transplanting either to their permanent positions or to nursery beds.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep loamy soil, even if it is on the heavy side[1][4]. Most members of this genus are gross feeders and require a rich soil[2][4]. Plants succeed when growing in exposed positions[4] and also in alkaline soils[2]. They tolerate atmospheric pollution[4]. A fast-growing tree in the wild, where it lives 125 - 150 years[6]. Most species in this genus are dioecious but this species is said to be hermaphrodite[12][6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩

  6. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

  8. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  11. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2

  12. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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