Fraxinus americana
White Ash
The White Ash stands out in our forests because of its beautiful compound leaves. Compound leaves have leaflets attached to a middle vein-like structure called a rachis. Compare this leaf structure with that of a Sugar Maple, a tree with a single (or “simple”) leaf structure. The bark of White Ash is quite distinctive and some compare the grooves in the bark to diamond shapes. There is no other bark like that of a White Ash. Sadly, many of the Ash in our area have been devastated by the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive bright green beetle whose larvae feed on the inner bark. In partnership with Cornell University, the Arboretum has been experimenting with protecting its White Ash by inoculating trees each year with an insecticide that prevents against the borer. Different colored tapes tied around Ash in the Woodland Walk indicate the year each tree was treated. The hardwood of White Ash makes for superior baseball bats and is used for flooring throughout the Education Center.