White Ash 100 Seeds Fraxinus americana

Fraxinus americana, commonly known as white ash, is a large, deciduous tree native to eastern North America, valued for both its ecological importance and high-quality hardwood. Typically reaching heights of 60 to 80 feet, and sometimes over 100 feet in optimal conditions, white ash features a tall, straight trunk and a broad, rounded crown, making it a prominent canopy tree in hardwood forests. Its compound leaves usually have seven leaflets, dark green above and paler below, turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red, and deep purple in autumn—among the most striking fall foliage of any North American tree. Inconspicuous purple-green flowers emerge in spring before the leaves, and female trees produce elongated, single-winged fruits called samaras that disperse by wind. White ash grows best in deep, moist, well-drained soils and is commonly found in mixed forests and along river valleys. The tree is renowned for its strong yet flexible wood, widely used for making baseball bats, tool handles, furniture, and flooring. In natural ecosystems, white ash supports a wide range of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and numerous insect species, serving as a vital component of temperate deciduous forests.

Growing Instructions

The seeds have a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the fall or winter for spring germination or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions and to break their dormancy at any time of the year.

1. Soak the seed in water for 12 hours.
2. Place the seeds in a plastic bag and seal it. Store the bag in a refrigerator for two months.
3. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. Water the mixture so that it is moist but not wet.
4. Sow the seeds on the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
5. Water the container and leave it to drain.
6. Put the pot in a warm, sunny area.
7. Water the pot regularly so that the soil is moist but not wet.
8. The seedlings can be transplanted when they are a few inches tall.