Fraxinus americana
treeWhite ash (Fraxinus americana) is a large, fast native shade tree, 60 to 90 ft, with a straight trunk, compound leaves that turn striking shades of yellow and deep purple in fall, and tough, elastic wood long used for tool handles and baseball bats. Its bark also had traditional uses. It is a fine, adaptable landscape and timber tree - but it now carries a heavy warning: the invasive emerald ash borer has killed ash by the millions across North America, and planting new ash is generally no longer recommended without a plan to protect the tree. It is included here for completeness and for those harvesting from existing, established trees.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 12 days
Harvest
~30 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
30-50 ft apart
Planting Depth
Set root flare at soil line
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Soil Type
Rich, moist, well-draining; adaptable
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 9
When to Fertilize
Spring feed while young if needed
Fertilizer
Balanced or compost; moderate needs
White ash grows in full sun in rich, moist, well-drained soil but tolerates a wide range of conditions and pH. It establishes and grows fast and colors beautifully in fall. The overriding issue is the emerald ash borer (EAB): this metallic green beetle has spread across most of the country and typically kills an untreated ash within a few years of infestation. For that reason, do not plant new ash where EAB is present unless you commit to ongoing systemic treatment; existing healthy trees can be protected by a certified arborist. Harvest bark only from prunings of established, healthy trees.
Direct sow
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
May 29
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
The critical threat - do not plant new ash in EAB areas; protect valued existing trees with professional systemic treatment and watch for canopy dieback and D-shaped exit holes
Bore stressed trunks; keep trees vigorous and avoid wounds
A soil fungus that wilts branches; prune out dead wood and keep the tree unstressed
Harvest the bark in spring when it lifts most easily, taking it only from branches removed in pruning on a healthy, established tree, never by ringing the trunk. Peel and dry the inner bark thoroughly for use. Given the emerald ash borer crisis, treat any existing ash as a tree to protect and harvest sparingly from prunings, rather than as one to plant anew.
White ash is not a food plant; the wood is famously tough and elastic, and its bark had traditional uses. Its garden story today is mostly cautionary: the emerald ash borer has made ash a tree to protect and monitor rather than plant freely, so harvest only from established, healthy trees and only from prunings.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.