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White Ash

Fraxinus americana

White ash is a stately native shade tree with rich purple fall color and a powerhouse caterpillar host. The emerald ash borer has devastated wild populations, so new plantings should be sited and monitored accordingly.

Family
Oleaceae
Type
tree
Lifespan
perennial
Height
50–80 ft
Spacing
40–60 ft apart
Light
sun
Soil moisture
moist, dry
Soil pH
neutral, acidic
Bloom
April, May
Bloom colors
green, purple
Wildlife value
songbirds, larval host, pollinators
Caterpillar hosts
~149 butterfly & moth species
Landscape uses
specimen
Native states
AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV