T r e e s  o f  N o r t h  C a r o l i n a

Fraxinus L. (Oleaceae)

A genus of about forty-three to sixty-five species of trees; mostly north temperate (Asia, North America, Europe).

Four species occur in North Carolina, all are considered native to the state.

Key to Fraxinus in North Carolina

1. Leaves minutely honeycombed-reticulate beneath (best seen at magnification of 40× or more), and sometimes also pubescent, more-orless strongly whitened; wing of the samara decurrent only onto the upper 1/3 (or less) of the samara body...F. americana (White ash)

1. Leaves glabrous to pubescent beneath (and sometimes with papillae and small scales visible at 40×, but never minutely honeycombed reticulate), green; wing of the samara decurrent onto 1/2 (or more) of the samara body...2.

2. Petiolules of the lowermost leaflets 1-9 mm long, all but 1-2 mm narrowly winged; samara mostly < 7 mm wide; calyx 0.5-1.5 mm long...F. pennsylvanica (Green ash)

2. Petiolules of the lowermost leaflets 3-20 mm long, not winged (except F. caroliniana); samara mostly > 7 mm wide; calyx 1-6 mm long...3.

3. Body of samara flattened, winged the full length of the samara body; calyx 1 mm long; leaf scars slightly notched; small tree, often multi-trunked...F. caroliniana (Water ash)

3. Body of samara terete or subterete, winged about 1/2 the length of the samara body; calyx 2.5-6 mm long; leaf scars deeply notched; medium to large tree, typically single-trunked...F. profunda (Pumpkin ash)