Fraxinus americana
Leaves: Deciduous. Pinnately compound leaves 8-15” long, 5-9 leaflets, usually 7. Each leaflet is 2-6” long, 1-3” wide, ovate and pointed at the end. Dark green color with a lighter underneath. Dark purple to yellow fall color.
Bark/Twigs: Ash gray to gray-brown colored bark. Furrowed into close diamond shaped areas. Bark very distinctively cross-hatched.
Flowers/Fruit: Inconspicuous flowers. Dioecious- species have both male and female trees. Female trees produce 1-2” long, ¼” wide seeds which look like a canoe paddle.
Mature size and shape: Large. 50-80’h x 50’w. Younger trees are pyramidal to upright oval. As it ages the tree develops a rather open rounded crown.
General information/special features: Plant in full sun. Grows best in deep, moist, well-drained soil, but can withstand soils that are not too dry and rocky.
Landscape use and Maintenance: Good shade tree. Medium growing rate. Average maintenance. Easily transplanted. Buy male varieties to avoid messy seeds.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Family/Origin: Oleaceae – Olive. A large tree native to moist sites in most of the eastern U.S.
Campus use: Somewhat common. Can be found west of Building 379 along Mario Capecchi Dr.