What is a Green Ash Tree?
If you’ve never seen a green ash tree, you may well ask “what is a green ash?” Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) are large ash trees native to eastern North America. According to green ash information, the tree’s native range stretches from eastern Canada down to Texas and northern Florida. It grows well in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 9. Green ash trees are among the most adaptable trees that are native to this country. The trees grow quickly when planted in a full sun site in moist, well-drained soils. However, the trees tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. Green ash trees have compound leaves with five to nine leaflets, each of which can grow as long as your hand. The leaflets grow in a long oval shape with a tapering base. They are shiny green on top, while the lower surfaces are lighter green.
How to Grow a Green Ash Tree
If you are considering growing green ash trees, you’ll need to consider its size. Green ash can grow to 70 feet (21 m.) tall and 40 feet (12 m.) wide. You’ll want to select a planting site with sufficient room to accommodate it. The tree’s fruit is a paddle-shaped samara. These pods are attractive and can remain on the tree into winter. However, each contains many seeds that sprout quickly. Since green ash seedlings can be weedy and invasive, good green ash tree care involves removing the seedlings as they appear. This can be time consuming, and many gardeners buy and plant male trees to avoid the problem. An early step in “how to grow green ash” is selecting a cultivar. Different cultivars offer different tree forms, and some have superior fall color. For many years, the most popular cultivar was ‘Marshall’s Seedless’ or ‘Marshall.’ These trees do not produce the messy seeds that require extra green ash tree care. The dark green leaves turn bright yellow in autumn. For a tree with lighter green leaves but equally good fall color, consider the cultivar ‘Summit.’ Its form is also upright.
