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Fraxinus americana
  • White Ash

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

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Windbreak
    Windbreak
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Fraxinus americana has 0 edible uses listed
Fraxinus americana has 0 material uses listed
Fraxinus americana has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

A bitter tasting syrup is drawn from the tree[1]. The report gives no more details and does not directly say that the syrup was used as food. It was quite possibly only used medicinally[K].

Unknown part

Drink

Material uses

The leaves are said to repel rattlesnakes and have been worn on the feet of people travelling in rattlesnake country[2]. There are some doubts over the efficacy of this[2].

A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[1].

Wood - strong, hard, heavy, tough, elastic, close grained, moderately durable[3][4][5]. It weighs 41lb per cubic foot, seasons well, takes a good polish and is shock resistant[5]. One of the most valuable of the North American timbers[4][1], it is much used for tool handles, hockey sticks, baseball bats, the interior of buildings, musical instruments, furniture, woodenware etc[3][4][5][6]. As a fuel it is comparable in quality to such excellent species as oak (Quercus spp) and hickory (Carya spp)[1].

Unknown part

Dye
Repellent
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark is astringent, emmenagogue and a bitter tonic[3][7][8][9]. An infusion is used to promote menstruation[9]. It has also been used as a wash to treat skin sores, itches and vermin on the scalp[2][9].

The inner bark is diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic and strongly laxative[10]. It is used as a tea to remove bile from the intestines, as a tonic after childbirth and to relieve stomach cramps and fevers[10][9]. It is chewed and applied as a poultice to sores[10]. The leaves are used to soothe the itching caused by mosquito bites and bee stings[11].

The seeds are thought to be aphrodisiac[10].

Unknown part

Aphrodisiac
Astringent
Bitter
Stings
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Windbreak

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[12]. It usually germinates in the spring[12]. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as possible in a cold frame[13]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Fraxinus americana. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a deep loamy soil, even if it is on the heavy side[14][13]. Most members of this genus are gross feeders and require a rich soil[13]. Succeeds in exposed positions[13] and in alkaline soils[15]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[13]. Young plants tolerate forest shade[1].

One of the most valuable hardwood timber trees in N. America[1], saplings grow slowly at first, but the growth rate speeds up over the next 50 years[11]. This species is planted on a small scale, mainly in E. Europe, as a timber tree[16]. It has the potential as a forestry tree in Britain, succeeding under conditions that are too dry or frosty for the native ash, F. excelsior[15]. A very ornamental tree[14], it is often confused in cultivation with F. pennsylvanica[16].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Male trees usually flower heavily each year, but female trees only flower heavily every 2 - 3 years[11].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Fraxinus americana. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Fraxinus americana.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Fraxinus americana
Genus
Fraxinus
Family
Oleaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
[3][7][8][9][2][10][11]
Material uses & Functions
[2][1][3][4][5][6]
Botanic
[15][17][13]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Windbreak
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
25 x 15 meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious

"image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.7 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.1 ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
  17. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

"image:Fraxinus americana.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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Facts about "Fraxinus americana"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyOleaceae +
Belongs to genusFraxinus +
Functions asWindbreak +
Has binomial nameFraxinus americana +
Has common nameWhite Ash +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +
Has edible useDrink +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
Has flowers of typeDioecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone3 +
Has imageFraxinus americana.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye +, Repellent + and Wood +
Has mature height25 +
Has mature width15 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAphrodisiac +, Astringent +, Bitter +, Stings + and Tonic +
Has primary imageFraxinus americana.jpg +
Has search namefraxinus americana + and white ash +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameFraxinus americana +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Fraxinus americana +, Fraxinus americana +, Fraxinus americana +, Fraxinus americana +, Fraxinus americana +, Fraxinus americana +, Fraxinus americana +, Fraxinus americana + and Fraxinus americana +