American ash

Family Oleaceae. Eastern North America. In deciduous forests on deep, rich, moist, well-drained soils along watercourses and on the slopes of hills and mountains, up to 1050 m above sea level.

A large dioecious tree, up to 35 m tall, with a broadly ovate crown, glabrous young shoots and light-brown buds. Leaves pinnate, imparipinnate, of 7(5-9) leaflets, ovate, entire-margined or toothed, glabrous, dark green above, glaucous beneath, up to 12 cm long. Grows quickly, relatively drought-tolerant and more cold-hardy than the common ash, not damaged by spring frosts because the buds open 8-10 days later than those of other ashes. Tolerates urban conditions well, long-lived. Propagated by sowing stratified seeds. Thanks to its rapid growth, attractive airy crown and longevity, it is a valuable plant for avenues, group and composition plantings. In cultivation since 1874.