Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata)

Form

Small tree, 20 to 40 feet high with a diameter of 6 to 18 inches; can be distinguished from all other ashes by the 4-angles, more or less 4-winged branchlets.

Bark

On old trunks is light gray, tinged with red, irregularly divided into large, plate-like scales, often with the shaggy appearance of the hickory.

Leaf

Opposite, compound; leaflets also opposite with a single leaflet at the tip, making always an odd number of leaflets; leaflets have incurved teeth.

Flower

Perfect, inconspicuous, appearing before the leaves.

Fruit

Winged, 1 to 2 inches long, in long, loose clusters maturing late in the fall.

Range

Southern part of the state; not abundant anywhere. Prefers rich limestone hills, but grows well on fertile bottomlands.

Wood

Similar to white ash, but is not of commercial importance owing to its small size and scattered distribution.

Notes

A blue dye is obtained by macerating the inner bark in water. It is a hardy, rapid growing tree used for ornemental planting.