Fraxinus latifolia

Fraxinus latifolia,theOregon ash,is a member of the ash genusFraxinus,native to westernNorth America.

Oregon ash
A mature tree at theMeise Botanic Garden
Leaves of the Oregon ash
Conservation status
Near Threatened(IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Oleaceae
Genus:	Fraxinus
Section:	Fraxinussect.Melioides
Species:	F. latifolia
Binomial name
Fraxinus latifolia Benth.
Native range
Synonyms
Fraxinus oregona

Description

Fraxinus latifoliais a medium-sizeddeciduoustree that can grow to heights of 20–25 metres (65–80 feet) in height, with a trunk diameter of 40–75 centimetres (16–30 inches) in its 100−150-year average life span.Oregon ash can grow considerably larger and can have well over a 200-year life span, or become stunted and very small in more dry habitats. It can develop a broad crown, almost as wide as a bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) when it grows in the open, but crowns remain narrow when they are part of a denser tree stand, similar to that of red alder (Alnus rubra).

Thebarkis distinctive with dark gray–brown, and it will eventually develop a woven pattern of deep fissures and ridges. Thecompound leavesare pinnate,12–33 cm (4+3⁄4–13 in) long, with 5–9 leaflets attached in pairs to a linear stalk and an additional leaflet at the tip. Each leaflet is ovate,6–12 cm (2+1⁄4–4+3⁄4in) long and3–4 cm (1+1⁄8–1+5⁄8in) broad.The leaves are noticeably lighter green than those of associated broadleaf species, and turn bright yellow and fall off early in autumn. It is common for the leaves and bark to show signs of disease and brown rot on otherwise healthy plants. After leaves have fallen off the plant in fall and before it begins to leaf out, Oregon ash can be identified by its stout twigs and opposite branching arrangement and opposing buds. Unlike bigleaf maples, ash twigs have woolly hairs. In mid to late spring, the tree produces small flowers that are not very noticeable. It isdioecious;it requires two separate plants (male and female) to successfully pollinate and reproduce. Thefruit,produced by female trees, is a cluster ofsamaras,3–5 cm (1+1⁄8–2 in) long that includes wings similar to maple trees. It is shaped like a canoe, with the small seed located near one end.

Distribution and habitat

Fraxinus latifoliais found on the west side of theCascade Rangefrom southwesternBritish Columbiasouth through westernWashington,westernOregon,and northwestern California; and in centralCaliforniain theSierra Nevada.

The Oregon ash grows mostly in wet habitats and prefers damp, loose soils such as sloughs,swales,wetmeadows,swamps,streams,and bottomlands. It grows from sea level to 900 m (3,000 ft) in elevation, up to 1,700 m (5,600 ft) in the south of the range in California. In centralSouthern California,it integrates withFraxinus velutina(velvet ash) of southern California east intoArizona.

Ecology

Oregon ash isintolerant of shade,and may eventually be replaced by more competitive trees such as bigleaf maples or conifers that block the light with their leaves or sheer size. This tree flourishes when its habitat become opened due to floods, blowdowns, or other disturbances. Oregon ash sprouts vigorously from cut stumps or fire-killed trees. Young trees typically grow vigorously for their first 60 years, with their growth slowing considerably in the following years.

This particular species of ash is well adapted to soggy ground due to its moderately shallow, but extensive and wide-spreading root system. This also allows for the tree to withstand wind storms exceptionally well. Ash tolerates flooding considerably better thanDouglas-firandgrand fir.Oregon ash also provides nourishment to songbirds, squirrels, and water fowl by way of its seeds. Deer and elk have also been known to graze its foliage and sprouts.

Uses

The wood of Oregon ash compares favorably to the valuable lumber of eastern ashes, but it is seldom used for hardwood products because of its limited availability and distribution. TheCowlitz Indian Tribeused its wood for canoe paddles anddigging sticks.Europeans, and later European Americans, have long preferred similar species of ash for comparable purposes such as tool handles and sports equipment.The light color of the wood is somewhat lustrous, hard, strong, stiff, high in shock resistance, flexible, workable with machines, and wears smooth with use. The commercial application of Oregon ash has been limited due to the much more abundant eastern ashes. The young and fast-growing wood of ash is more elastic and more favorable for handles and baseball bats because it has wider growth rings. The wood of old ash trees in general are valued for firewood due to their fine grain andbrittleness.It is commonly used as anornamentalor shade tree within and beyond it native range of the Pacific Northwest because of its rapid growth rate, symmetrical shape, and hardiness. It has also been known to be used for wind breaks and to help with riparian restoration due to its wide root system and quick growth.

Thomas Nuttallfound that stories persisted in Oregon that rattlesnakes would admonish sticks from the tree; this was historically reported byPliny the Elder.

External links

• Media related toFraxinus latifoliaat Wikimedia Commons