Oregon Ash

Fraxinus latifolia – Oregon ash

At a Glance:

• Family: Oleaceae
• Plant Type: Small tree
• Distribution: Pacific Coast, California to British Columbia, mostly south-west washington
• Habitat: fertile moist soils near rivers and lakes, wetlands, and prairies
• Height: 25m
• Flower/Fruits: small and appear before the leaves. They range between green and reddish-orange. Fruits develop into hanging dried samara.
• Flowering Season: June-August
• Leaves: Leaves are compound, comprised of 5-7 leaflets, oppositely arranged.
• Generation: Perennial
• Notable feature: yellow leaves during fall. Tree is oppositely branched.

Restoration and Conservation

Seeds start forming after the tree is around 30 years old and are dispersed by the wind. The trees are commonly used as an ornamental tree in PNW cities. It is used in restoration projects establishing quickly in moist areas like the edges of wetlands.

Ethnobotany

Oregon Ash is commonly used as firewood because it splits easily and has a high heat value. The wood is hard and strong and used in furniture, panelling, flooring, pallets, and wood crates. Native Americans used the tree to build tools like axe handles, canoe paddles, and tobacco pipes.

References and Resources

• NAEB: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Fraxinus+latifolia
• Native Plants PNW: http://nativeplantspnw.com/oregon-ash-fraxinus-latifolia
• OSU: http://owic.oregonstate.edu/oregon-ash-fraxinus-latifolia
• USDA: https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/fraxinus/latifolia.htm
• WTU Image Herbarium: http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Fraxinus%20latifolia

This article was written by Sarah Verlinde. For questions regarding the UWB/CC Plant Tour, contact Sarah at severlin@uw.edu.