Blue Ash

Fraxinus quadrangulata

Dimensions:

• Height: 60’ - 70’

• Mature spread: 35’

• Trunk Diameter: 1.5’ - 2.5’

Habitat and Range:

• primarily in the limestone outcrops of Central Kentucky and the Interior Plateau

Features:

• critically endangered due to emerald ash borer, but the least threatened of the ashes

• have opposite, compound leaves

• new twig growth is 4-sided and corky

• male and female flowers usually occur on separate trees

• the sap turns blue when exposed to air and was used for blue dye

• very cold hardy down to minus 30 degrees

• the most drought resistant of the ash trees and tolerates pollution

• the fallen leaves are used by frogs as a critical food source for their tadpoles

History:

• Henry Clay named his Lexington home “Ashland” for the ash trees on the property

• Druids considered ash tree sacred and made wands out of them

• The national champion is found in Danville, Kentucky