Fraxinus latifolia (Oregon Ash)

Native to western North America, Fraxinus latifolia (Oregon Ash) is a magnificent, large, deciduous tree with a straight trunk and a dense narrow crown. The foliage of compound pinnate, light green leaves contains 5-9 leaflets which turn clear yellow in the fall. The young bark is thin, smooth, and gray-green becoming gray-brown, thick and furrowed with age.

Native to western North America, Fraxinus latifolia (Oregon Ash) is a magnificent, large, deciduous tree with a straight trunk and a dense narrow crown. The foliage of compound pinnate, light green leaves contains 5-9 leaflets which turn clear yellow in the fall. The young bark is thin, smooth, and gray-green becoming gray-brown, thick and furrowed with age. In spring, before the leaves emerge, inconspicuous greenish male and female flowers appear in dense, glabrous panicles on separate trees. The female flowers are followed by dense clusters of hanging samaras, 2 in. long (5 cm), that ripen in fall. Long-lived (250 years), Oregon Ash is a splendid shade tree or specimen tree for a large landscape. Prized for its beautiful symmetrical shape, rapid growth, and hardiness, Oregon Ash has been widely planted as an ornamental tree and a street tree. It is also excellent for revegetating wet, lowland areas. The seeds are eaten by birds and squirrels.

  • Grows up to 60-80 ft. tall and 50 ft. wide (15 m).
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in humus rich, moist to wet soil soils. Survives standing water in winter months and, when established, need not be watered during the summer.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant.
  • Keep an eye our for caterpillars and scales, anthracnose, root rot, rust, sooty mold and verticillium. Not deer palatable.
  • Propagate by seeds sown outdoors after collection or stored and stratified then sown in spring.
  • Native to California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia.

Requirements

Hardiness 6
– 8

Climate Zones 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Fraxinus – Ash Trees
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 60'
– 80'
(18m
– 24m)
Spread 40'
– 50'
(12m
– 15m)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Ponds and Streams
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow