Ash Management Guide for Private Forest Landowners

How to tell an ash from an ashIdentifying characteristicsLeaf Scar/Bud Bark Leaves FruitsWhite Ash2-3 pairs of scales, rusty to darkbrown. Terminal bud 1 ⁄5” long. Lateralbuds are set within the leaf scar.Buds are paired with a leaf scar beneaththe bud that looks like the letter“C” turned on its side.Julie MiedtkeLight gray-brown bark is characterizedby having deep, narrowridges that form a diamondshaped pattern.8 to 12 inches long with 5 to 11leaflets (usually 7); margin entireto partially serrate. Leaflets arestalked.Light-brown samara, about 1”long; wing partially surroundingthe seed.Black AshBuds are very dark brown in color.Generally, there is a space betweenthe end bud and the nearest lateralbuds.Ohio State University ExtensionGrayish in color and smooth whenthe tree is young, attaining some ofthe same furrows that can be seenin the bark of both green and white,but usually not as deep.10 to 16 inches long with 7 to11 leaflets; margin finely serrate;leaflets have no petiole.Samara are broad to oblong,usually 1 to 1 1 ⁄2 inches long,blunt at the base.Green Ash12Bark rusty brown, woolly, set aboveleaf scar. Leaf scars nearly straightacross the top. Buds are paired witha leaf scar beneath the bud that lookslike a sideways “D” (like a smile).Very similar to that of white ashbut not quit as deeply furrowed.6 to 10 inches in length with 7 to9 leaflets; margin serrate alongentire length of leaflet.Samara typically 1 1 ⁄4 to 2 1 ⁄4 incheslong and 1 ⁄4 inch or less in width.The wing of this samara is morepointed than that of white ash.All photos from MN DNR-Welby Smith, unless indicated otherwise