4 Native Ash Trees In Kansas (Photos & ID Guide)
Kansas has a wide variety of plant species, including several native ash trees. This article will look at four common native ash trees in Kansas, providing readers with detailed photos and an identification guide to help them identify these trees in their natural habitat.
Ash trees are a prominent feature of the Kansas landscape, and they play an important role in the state’s ecosystem. They provide shade and habitat for wildlife, as well as contributing to the area’s overall biodiversity. By becoming acquainted with the various types of ash trees in Kansas, we can better appreciate their distinct characteristics and comprehend their significance.
So, let us begin with the most common, the Blue Ash.
1. Blue Ash
- Scientific Name: Fraxinus quadrangulata
- Common Name(s): Blue Ash
- Mature Height: 50-80 feet (15-24 meters)
- Native Region: North America
- Flowers: Greenish-white flowers in spring
- Fruit: Clusters of flat-winged samaras
- Uses: Timber, urban landscaping, shade tree
The Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata) is a North American deciduous tree. It receives its name from the blueish hue of its heartwood’s inner layers. The mature height of the Blue Ash is 50 to 80 feet (15 to 24 meters), with a spreading crown that can span up to 40 feet (12 meters). It has a distinctive diamond-shaped bark that is grayish-brown in color and gets fissured with age.
This ash tree is mostly found in Kansas’ eastern and central regions. It flourishes in a wide range of soil types, including dry, rocky, and wet soils, making it adaptable to a variety of situations. Blue Ash can be found in upland areas, limestone bluffs, and bottomland woods across Kansas.
The Blue Ash blooms in tiny clusters of greenish-white flowers in the spring. The blossoms, on the other hand, are not extremely showy. The fruit of the tree is flat-winged samaras that develop in late summer or early fall.
The Blue Ash fulfills several functions in Kansas settings. Because of its broad crown and dense leaves, it is frequently employed as a shade tree in urban and residential locations. Its robust, durable wood also makes it a desirable timber tree. The Blue Ash tree is also noted for its resistance to pests and diseases that damage other ash tree species.
2. Green Ash
- Scientific Name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica
- Common Name(s): Green Ash, Red Ash, Water Ash
- Mature Height: 50-80 feet (15-24 meters)
- Native Region: North America
- Flowers: Greenish-yellow, inconspicuous flowers in early spring.
- Fruit: Clusters of winged seeds (samara) that ripen in late summer/early fall and persist into winter.
- Uses: Green Ash is commonly used for shade and as a street tree due to its tolerance to urban conditions. The wood is also used for furniture, flooring, and tool handles.
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree widespread throughout Kansas. When young, it features a pyramid-shaped crown that becomes rounded with age. The tree grows to a height of 50-80 feet (15-24 meters) and a width of 35-50 feet (11-15 meters). Green Ash leaves are composed of 5-9 leaflets. They have a dark green top and a pale green underside that turns yellow in the fall.
Green Ash is native to North America and can be found throughout the continent’s central and eastern regions. It may grow in a variety of soil types but favors well-drained, moist soil. It is found in floodplains and near streams and can withstand both dry and wet environments.
Green Ash produces modest greenish-yellow wind-pollinated flowers in early spring. The tree is dioecious, which means that male and female blooms grow on distinct trees. Female trees bear little clusters of winged seeds (samara), which ripen in late summer/early fall. These seeds are distributed by the wind and might remain on the tree throughout the winter.
Because of its resilience to urban circumstances, Green Ash is often employed as a shade tree and as a street tree in Kansas landscaping. It’s resistant to pollutants, compacted soil, and drought. It is also prized because of its comparatively rapid growth rate. Because of its ability to survive severe winds, Green Ash is a popular choice for windbreaks and shelterbelts.
Green Ash requires little upkeep. It enjoys full light but may tolerate some shade. Water newly planted trees on a regular basis until they build a robust root system. To preserve a strong, healthy structure, pruning should be done during the dormant season. Regular pruning will also assist manage its growth and prevent the formation of weak branches.
Green Ash wood is used for a variety of reasons outside from gardening. Because of its strength and durability, it is widely used for furniture, flooring, and tool handles. The tree also serves as a habitat and food source for species such as birds and butterflies, making it an important addition to any landscape.
3. White Ash
- Scientific Name: Fraxinus americana
- Common Name(s): White Ash
- Mature Height: 50-80 feet (15-24 meters)
- Native Region: North America
- Flowers: Pale green, small and inconspicuous flowers
- Fruit: Clusters of winged seeds called samaras
- Uses: White Ash wood is used for furniture, flooring, and cabinets. It is also a popular choice for baseball bats.
The White Ash, scientifically known as Fraxinus americana, is a deciduous tree native to North America that grows in medium to large sizes. It can mature to a height of 50-80 feet (15-24 meters) and a width of 40-50 feet (12-15 meters). White Ash trees have rounded to oval-shaped crowns and straight trunks that become increasingly fissured and rough with age. Its leaves are compound pinnate, with 5-9 oval leaflets that taper to a pointy tip. The leaf’s upper surface is dark green, while the underside is lighter.
The White Ash is typically found in damp bottomlands, along streams, and in upland woodlands in its native habitat. It may grow in a variety of soil types but likes well-draining, moist soils. White Ash can be grown both indoors and outdoors in Kansas landscapes. When planting outdoors, it is critical to ensure that the soil drains effectively. For maximum growth, this tree requires full sun to partial shade.
The White Ash is monoecious, which means that it has male and female flowers on the same tree. White Ash blooms are small, pale green, and inconspicuous, appearing before the leaves in early April. The tree produces samaras, which are winged seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Samaras are an important food source for many bird species.
Regular watering, especially during dry years, and mulching around the base of the tree to preserve moisture are two care tips for White Ash trees in Kansas landscapes. Pruning is required to keep a robust and healthy structure. Although the White Ash is resistant to many illnesses and pests, it can be harmed by the emerald ash borer, a particularly destructive insect.
The White Ash has a wide range of applications. Its robust and long-lasting wood is in high demand for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry. Because of its strength and flexibility, it is also a popular material for baseball bats. Historically, Native American cultures used White Ash wood to make baskets, tools, and handles. Furthermore, the White Ash provides shade and is a beautiful decorative tree in landscapes.
4. Wafer Ash
- Scientific Name: Ptelea trifoliata
- Common Name(s): Wafer Ash, Hoptree, Stinking Ash
- Mature Height: 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.5 meters)
- Native Region: North America
- Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow flowers in clusters
- Fruit: Upright clusters of winged samaras, resembling wafer-like structures
- Uses: Used for erosion control, as a windbreak, and for its aesthetic appeal in landscapes. The fruits are attractive to wildlife.
The Wafer Ash, also known as Hoptree or Stinking Ash, is a tiny deciduous tree that grows to be 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.5 meters) tall when mature. It is indigenous to North America, including parts of Kansas. The tree has a rounded crown and an open appearance, and it grows at a moderate rate.
Wafer Ash leaves are separated into three leaflets, giving it a trifoliate look. They are brilliant green in the summer and turn yellow in the fall. When young, the bark is grayish-brown and smooth, but it gets wrinkled with age. The tree has dense branches and is highly tough.
Wafer Ash blooms in clusters of tiny, greenish-yellow flowers in the spring. The flowers, while not exceptionally spectacular, attract butterflies and other pollinators. The tree produces upright clusters of winged samaras that resemble wafer-like structures in early October. Birds and other creatures are drawn to these fruits.
Wafer Ash is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including well-drained and alkaline soils. Once established, it can withstand drought conditions, making it suited for Kansas settings. It requires little maintenance and is resistant to pests and illnesses.
Because of its robust branching, Wafer Ash is frequently utilized in landscapes for erosion control on slopes and as a windbreak. Its visual appeal stems from its petite size, beautiful leaves, and distinctive fruit clusters. The fruits are also a source of food for wildlife.
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Native Ash Trees In Kansas – Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Recommended Plants & Trees For Kansas, Kansas State University
- Native Tree Identification, Kansas Native Plant Society
- Discover Kansas Forests, Kansas Forest Service
- Preferred Trees for Southwest Kansas, Kansas State University
