NGC - Ash for the Prairies

ORNAMENTAL TREE

FRAXINUS: ASH

With it's attractive compound leaves that turn to a beautiful golden yellow in the fall, the Ash is one of the most popular shade or street tree of the prairies.

This very tough & hardy tree is one of the last to leaf out in the spring and one of the first to change color and lose its leaves in the fall.

The Ash is disease resistant, drought tolerant and thrives in a wide variety of conditions.

It requires little pruning, but when it does need pruning, prune in the summer while it is in full leaf in order to prevent excessive sap bleeding. Or prune while the tree is still dormant in the late winter or early spring.

The male varieties are preferable as the females tend to produce large amounts of seed. Ash prefer to be planted in a sunny location.

Ash Cultivars for the Prairies

Cultivar Name	Size	Zone	Foliage	Fall Color	Description
Black Ash Fraxinus nigra	50' x 20' (15m x 6m)	2	Coarse, compound leaves	Golden- yellow	Upright tree that is native to moist, organic soils, but has proven suitable for transplanting in a wide range of soils.
Fallgold Black Ash Fraxinus nigra 'Fallgold'	50' x 20' (15m x 6m)	2	Coarse, compound leaves	Long lasting Golden- yellow	This seedless variety is an attractive, narrow, upright tree that is hardy and adaptable to a wide range of soils when grafted on Green Ash rootstock.
Foothills Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Heuver'	40' x 30' (12m x 9m)	2	Wide, medium sized leaves	Golden- yellow	With compact branches and an oval shaped crown, this vigorous, upright growing tree makes an excellent street or boulevard tree. Seedless.
Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica lanceolata	60' x 30' (18m x 9m)	2	Narrow - small to medium leaves	Golden- yellow	Upright and rounded, this native tree lives long and is drought resistant, adapting well to most soil conditions. Excellent for street or shelter belt plantings. Can be either male or female. Seeds attract birds and wildlife.
Mancana Ash Fraxinus mandshurica 'Mancana'	40' x 25' (12m x 7m)	3	Exotic feather like, almost tropical foliage	Yellow	Has a uniform, oval growth habit with a dense, compact canopy. An attractive, seedless tree that is tolerant to a wide range of soil conditions.
Northern Blaze White Ash Fraxinus americana 'Jefnor'	50' x 25' (15m x 7m)	2	Large, glossy, medium green	Maroon	Upright and rounded in shape, this is an outstanding Jeffries Nurseries introduction from a seedling population grown by Dr. Wilbert Ronald. This selection has shown no winter damage in 10 years.
Northern Gem Ash Fraxinus x 'Northern Gem'	50' x 40' (15m x 12m)	2	Large, narrow & waxy	Yellow	A combination of the native Black Ash and Manchurian Ash. It has a broad, oval shape with a vigorous growth rate and minimal seed production.
Northern Treasure Ash Fraxinus x 'Northern Treasure'	50' x 30' (15m x 9m)	2	Large, narrow & waxy	Pale orange- yellow	This upright, oval shaped tree is disease resistant. A hardy, vigorous grower with minimum seed.
Patmore Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Patmore'	60' x 35' (18x x 11m)	2	Narrow, shiny dark green leaves	Yellow	A fast upright grower that forms an oval crown on top of a straight trunk. This seedless selection is hardy and retains its leaves longer than other Green Ash selections.
Prairie Spire Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Rugby'	60' x 30' (18m x 9m)	2	Glossy and deep green	Golden- yellow	A narrow tree that becomes more oval shaped with age. This is a seedless ash that is extremely hardy and will survive under harsh conditions.
Summit Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Summit'	60' x 30' (18m x 9m)	2	Glossy, medium green, very narrow	Yellow	Upright branching with an oval shaped crown. Tends to show color early in the fall.

Revised by Rachel Giesbrecht on June 28, 2005.