Green Ash
Scientific Name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Category: tree
Brief Description
A medium-sized deciduous tree displaying autumn yellow foliage, very common in urban and riparian settings.
Characteristics
Opposite, pinnately compound leaves usually with 7 to 9 leaflets. Bark on mature trees is gray-brown with interconnected diamond-shaped ridges. Fall color is typically yellow.
Habitat
Found naturally along streams, rivers, and floodplains, as well as heavily planted as an urban street tree across North America.
When to Find It
October brings vibrant yellow fall foliage before leaves drop for winter.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (though increasingly threatened by the invasive emerald ash borer in parts of its range).
Ecological Role
Provides food and cover for various birds and mammals; hosts several species of lepidoptera larvae.
Easily Confused With
White Ash (Fraxinus americana), which has paler undersides of leaves and a somewhat different leaflet shape.
Observation Tips
Look for opposite branching and compound leaves to easily identify ash trees.
Interesting Facts
Green ash is one of the most widely distributed ash species in North America due to its adaptability to various soils and climates.
User Notes
I saw it at linden woods community center on October 8 2026