Fraxinus nigra

Black ash is in the olive or Oleaceae family and is native to much of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, from Nova Scotia west to southeastern Manitoba, and south to Illinois and northern Virginia. The species is threatened with near extinction throughout its range as a result of infestation by the emerald ash borer.

• Leaves are opposite, pinnately compound, with 7–13 (most often 9) leaflets; each leaf is 20–45 cm long, the leaflets 7–16 cm long and 2.5–5 cm broad, with a finely toothed margin. The leaflets are sessile (directly attached to the stem without a petiole).
• Species is monoecious. Flowers are inconspicuous with no petals, females in in loose panicles, males in tighter clusters, both appearing before leaves in spring.
• Fruit is a samara 2.5–4.5 cm long in hanging clusters.
• On twigs, opposite buds are nearly black, with first lateral buds appear some distances below terminal.