Plant Family: Oleaceae
Growth Form: Large tree, to 25 meters in height, with a rounded crown.
Leaves: Opposite, compound, with 5 to 9 leaflets with narrow stalks; green above, whitish green below; margins entire or very lightly toothed.
Bark: Gray, tightly fissured in a cross-hatched pattern, the twigs are smooth.
Flowers: Dioecious, small, purplish, lacking petals, in clusters near the branch ends, appearing in spring before the leaves, pollination is by wind.
Fruits: Samaras with a single plump seed at the base; seen in hanging clusters in late summer.
Habitat: Fertile upland woods with other broadleaf trees.
Range: Common throughout New England and all of eastern North America.
Similar Species: Green Ash has leaves green beneath, leaflet stalks that are narrowly winged, twigs that are softly hairy, and it is found in wetter habitats.
Comments: The wood is heavy and strong, with a close grain, and is favored to make furniture, cabinetry, baseball bats, oars, and other sporting implements. White Ash makes a fine shade tree.
