Fraxinus americana

White ash or American ash is in the olive or Oleaceae family and is native to eastern and central North America, from New Brunswick to the Great Lakes and extending southward to parts of Florida through to eastern Texas.

The name white ash derives from the glaucous undersides of the leaves. It is similar in appearance to the Green Ash, making differentiation difficult. This is further complicated by overlapping rages of both species.

• Leaves are opposite, pinnate, up to 35 cm long, with 5 to 9 lanceolate leaflets, 12 cm long and 5 cm wide. Leaflets are stocked (over 1 cm long). Colour in the fall is yellow through to red.
• Species is dioecious. Male and female flowers are very small, green or purple, without petals and in clusters on separate plants.
• Fruit is a winged samara (key), up to 5 cm long, green, often in heavy clusters.
• Terminal bud is large, brown, with leathery scales, with 2 lateral buds, covering each side.