Black ash

Black ash ( Fraxinus nigra ) is a North American species of ash tree native to eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree typically reaching heights of 15-20 meters (49-66 feet), though it can occasionally grow larger.

Description:

Black ash is characterized by its gray bark, which is relatively smooth when young, developing into a diamond-shaped fissured pattern with age. Its leaves are pinnately compound, usually with 7-11 leaflets. The leaflets are lance-shaped to oblong, finely serrated, and typically sessile (lacking a stalk). Unlike some other ash species, black ash lacks a distinct terminal bud. Its flowers are small, purplish, and lack petals, appearing in clusters before the leaves emerge in spring. The fruit is a single-winged samara, typically oblong-lanceolate in shape.

Distribution and Habitat:

Black ash is found primarily in wet habitats such as swamps, bogs, floodplains, and along streams and lake shores. It prefers poorly drained soils and is often found in areas with standing water. Its range extends from Newfoundland west to Manitoba, and south to Virginia and Illinois.

Uses:

Black ash has a long history of use by indigenous peoples, particularly for basketmaking. The wood is easily split into thin strips, making it ideal for weaving baskets. The inner bark has also been used for medicinal purposes. The wood is also occasionally used for lumber, though it is not as strong as other ash species.

Threats:

Black ash is severely threatened by the emerald ash borer ( Agrilus planipennis ), an invasive insect native to Asia. The emerald ash borer larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the flow of water and nutrients, eventually killing the tree. The emerald ash borer has caused widespread mortality of ash trees across North America, and black ash populations are declining rapidly as a result. Climate change, and associated changes in hydrology, also pose a threat, particularly in areas where suitable wet habitats are becoming drier. Conservation efforts are underway to protect black ash populations, including seed collection and breeding programs aimed at developing trees that are resistant to the emerald ash borer.