White Ash

White Ash, Fraxinus americana twig and buds

White Ash, Fraxinus americana, twig and buds

White Ash, Fraxinus americana, twig and buds

White Ash likes dryer sites than Green (it's most common look-alike). The main cue is the notched or U-shaped leaf scars (Green Ash scars do not curve around the bud at all).

I remember White is upland and Green lowland by thinking of white, snow capped mountains, and green, marshy valleys, but you can find either one in either place.

White Ash seeds are narrower than Green's.

Ash seeds are samaras, or keys.

Ashes come in male trees and female trees. The females make the seeds, the males have more obvious flowers. The male flowers are often attacked by Ash Flowergall Mites which cause them to look dried and brown and to last throughout the year and into winter.

Scale insects like ash. Several clearwing moths are ash borers. Fall webworm likes ash. Morel mushrooms often grow at the base of the tree.

Fall color in ash is a maroon-green, not attractive. They are one of the first trees to change in fall, and one of the later trees to leaf out in spring.

Ash sap is flammable, so ash twigs can work well in a campfire even when green.

Ash tea is laxative, use as medication, not for food.