Fraxinus (Ash)
Also known as: Fraxinus · Ash
15 types of fraxinus (ash)
American White Ash (F. americana)
Not applicablealso: White Ash
Tall native shade tree with brilliant purple-red fall color.
Arizona Ash (F. velutina)
Not applicablealso: Modesto Ash, Velvet Ash
Southwestern native with velvety leaves and golden fall color.
Blue Ash (F. quadrangulata)
Not applicableMidwestern native with distinctive four-angled twigs.
California Ash (F. dipetala)
Not applicablealso: Two-petal Ash
Southwestern native with fragrant flowers; drought tolerant.
Caucasian Ash (F. angustifolia ssp. oxycarpa)
Not applicablealso: Desert Ash
Subspecies with reddish fall color; widely planted in arid regions.
Chinese Ash (F. chinensis)
Not applicableAsian ash species used as street and landscape tree.
European Ash (F. excelsior)
Not applicablealso: Common Ash
Classic European timber and landscape ash.
Evergreen Ash (F. uhdei)
Not applicablealso: Mexican Ash, Shamel Ash, Tropical Ash
Semi-evergreen ash for warm climates; fast-growing shade tree.
Flowering Ash (F. ornus)
Not applicablealso: Manna Ash
Ornamental ash with fragrant creamy flower clusters.
Green Ash (F. pennsylvanica)
Not applicablealso: Red Ash, Northern Red Ash
Fast-growing shade tree with bright yellow fall color.
Manchurian Ash (F. mandshurica)
Not applicableCold-hardy Asian ash with showy bark and fall color.
Narrowleaf Ash (F. angustifolia)
Not applicableMediterranean ash with narrow leaflets; heat and drought tolerant.
Oregon Ash (F. latifolia)
Not applicablePacific Northwest native; thrives in wet soils and riparian areas.
Pumpkin Ash (F. profunda)
Not applicableWetland native with thick, pumpkin-shaped trunk bases.
Texas Ash (F. texensis)
Not applicableSmall drought-tolerant ash with bright fall color.
When & where
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Stratify seed as noted. Sow in deep tree pots (tall root trainers) filled with well-drained mix. Keep evenly moist and in bright light after germination. Grow on for 1–2 seasons before planting out to a permanent, well-prepared site with a wide mulch ring.
Grower's tip
Deciduous shade and timber trees; most species need cold stratification and produce reliable fall color.
Woody plant facts
Soil preferences
Deep, well-drained native soil. Avoid amending the planting hole heavily — roots should learn to grow into the surrounding earth.
5.5–7.5 depending on species (conifers lean acidic; most hardwoods neutral).
Top-dress with compost and mulch in a wide ring; don't backfill with pure compost.
Watering
Deep soak weekly the first two years while roots establish; taper once the tree self-supports.
Slow trickle at the drip line, not the trunk. A 5-gal bucket with a pinhole is ideal.
Overwatered: yellowing, root rot, mushroom collar. Underwatered: leaf scorch, early leaf drop.
Prefers top-watering — Trees are always top-watered — deep slow soak at the drip line, never at the trunk. Bottom-watering only makes sense for nursery seedlings.
Temperature tolerance
Broad — most species tolerate 40–90°F once established
Down to species-rated USDA zone minimum
Hardy once established; young seedlings need protection their first winter.
Special germination requirements
Most temperate tree seed needs cold stratification (30–120+ days at 34–41°F) — see each species entry for the exact time.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
Deep tree pots (root trainers) for the first 1–2 seasons; permanent site required for full growth.
Only dwarf, patio, or bonsai forms live long-term in containers.
Detailed harvesting
Not applicable for ornamental/timber trees. Nut and fruit species — pick when they drop naturally.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Nuts: keep damp and cool, sow promptly. Winged/coned seed: dry, cool, dark in a sealed jar.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Shade, windbreak, wildlife habitat, timber, ornament, and long-term carbon storage.
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Wind- or insect-pollinated; seedlings rarely match the parent exactly (especially named cultivars — those must be grafted or cutting-grown).
Not practical for trees. Expect variation.
Collect fully ripe seed in fall, clean, dry or keep damp per species, then cold-stratify before spring sowing.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for fraxinus (ash) in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
My Fraxinus (Ash) notes
Fraxinus (Ash) seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
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