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Black Ash

Fraxinus nigra

Black ash is a slow, wetland ash of northern swamps and fens, culturally vital for traditional basketry. It is among the most threatened by the emerald ash borer, lending conservation urgency to its planting.

Family
Oleaceae
Type
tree
Lifespan
perennial
Height
40–60 ft
Spacing
25–40 ft apart
Light
sun
Soil moisture
wet, moist
Soil pH
acidic, neutral
Bloom
April, May
Bloom colors
green, purple
Wildlife value
songbirds, larval host, pollinators
Caterpillar hosts
~149 butterfly & moth species
Landscape uses
specimen, rain garden
Native states
CT, IA, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, VT, WI, WV