2 Native Ash Trees In Virginia (Pictures & Identification)
If you didn’t already know, the Ash tree population in Virginia is decreasing day by day due to an infestation by the Emerald Ash Beetle.
These trees are an important part of the state’s ecosystem because they give wildlife a place to live and add to the beauty of the state. They are also useful in many ways, such as making wood and providing shade.
In this article, we’ll show you how to tell the difference between white ash and green ash, the two native ash trees in Virginia, and talk about some of the good things about these trees. By knowing the differences between the two types, you can make sure you can correctly identify the ash trees in your area and take advantage of all the benefits they have to offer.
If you have the space in your backyard, why not plant one ash tree and take part in the conservation effort?
1. White Ash Tree
- Botanical Name: Fraxinus americana L.
- Common Name: White Ash
- Height Range: 70-80 feet
- Trunk Diameter: 2 feet
- Flowers: Light green/purplish without petals
- Uses: Tool handles, baseball bats, oars, furniture, interior finish, a folk remedy for itching caused by mosquito bites.
White Ash (Fraxinus americana L.) is a majestic tree that can grow as tall as 70–80 feet and as wide as 2 feet. It has a clear, straight trunk and an oval top.
White ash grows best in soil that is rich, moist, and well-drained. Even in its early stages, it prefers to be in direct sunlight.
It has opposite leaves that are 8 to 12 inches long and has 7 oval-shaped leaflets that are 3 to 5 inches long. The leaves are green on top and lighter on the bottom. After the new leaves come out in the spring, the white ash flowers appear.
Male and female white ash flowers usually grow on different trees. Both male and female white ash flowers are light green or purple without petals, but females have longer, looser clusters while males form tighter ones.
The fruits of this species are 1-2 inches long and have one flattened but round seed cavity. They grow in clusters that are 6–8 inches across in the fall when they turn a brownish purple color that attracts birds as well as beavers and rabbits that eat the bark.
White ash wood is tough, elastic, and resistant to shocks. This makes it a good choice for tool handles, baseball bats, oars, furniture finishes, etc. Also, traditionally, the juice from its leaves was used as a folk remedy to make mosquito bites less itchy.
2. Green Ash Tree
- Botanical Name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.
- Common Name: Green Ash
- Height Range: 60 to 70 feet
- Trunk Diameter: 1.5 feet
- Flowers: light green to purple without petals
- Uses: Handles, baseball bats, pulpwood veneer, crates, boxes, shade tree, etc.
The Green Ash is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 60 to 70 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet.
The tree’s natural habitat is damp river bottoms and stream banks, but it is a valuable plant with a variety of applications. Its ability to grow in environments that are up to 40% flooded during the growing season is a remarkable trait of green ash.
Its distinctive leaves are pinnately compound, 6 to 9 inches long, with 7 to 9 elliptic to lance-shaped leaflets that are green on top and smooth or slightly hairy on the bottom.
Female flowers are light green to purple and grow in loose clusters after the leaves have opened. Its 1 to 2 and 1/2-inch-long, slender, flat fruits with wings that extend beyond the seed-bearing portion are also beautiful.
The bark is ashy gray-brown with diamond-shaped corky ridges, and the twigs are thick, medium-grey to green-brown, smooth or hairy, with two side buds at the end of each budding tip.
Green Ash trees feature heavy, hard, robust, brittle, light brown, coarse-grained sapwood with a large layer of lighter heartwood. This wood is used for a variety of items, including tool handles, baseball bats, rough timber, pulpwood veneer, crates, and boxes.
In addition to looking nice and being useful, Green Ash is an important food source for many birds, animals, and deer, which eat the seeds. Deer also eat the leaves, which makes it a great shade tree.
Native Ash Trees In Virginia – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s check out some of the most commonly asked questions on the internet by gardeners and tree enthusiasts about native ash trees in Virginia.
What are the native ash trees in Virginia?
Only two native ash trees, White Ash and Green Ash can be found in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry. However, there are a few other naturalized trees in Virginia, including the Black Ash and Pumpkin Ash trees.
What is killing ash trees in Virginia?
The emerald ash borer, ash yellows, and ash anthracnose are just some of the diseases and pests that can hurt native ash trees in Virginia. The emerald ash borer is an invasive species of insect that especially targets ash trees. It causes major damage to the bark of the tree and eventually kills it. The phytoplasma that causes ash yellows makes it hard for the tree to move water and nutrients, which causes it to wilt and eventually die. Ash anthracnose is a disease caused by fungi that causes spots on the leaves and cankers on the tree’s branches and trunk.
What are the benefits of growing native ash trees in Virginia?
Native ash trees in Virginia help the environment in several ways. They provide homes for animals like birds and squirrels. They also keep the soil from washing away and give us shade. The wood of Ash trees is strong and long-lasting, which makes it a popular choice for furniture and flooring.
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Sources
The Regional Gardening team ensures the credibility of the information presented in our articles by exclusively utilizing sources of a reputable nature. These sources include peer-reviewed journals published by government institutions, esteemed universities, and scientific research institutions.
- The Virginia Department of Forestry
- The Virginia Cooperative Extension
- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
- Virginia Native Plant Society
- The US Forest Service
- Virginia Natural Heritage Program
