Pronounced (approximate): FRAK-si-nus pen-sil-VAN-ih-kuh
A native ash with compound leaves and hanging clusters of narrow winged fruits. These photographs combine foliage and fruit details with bark views identified in the field by the photographer.
Green Ash: select a photograph for a closer look.
Family: Oleaceae
Growth form: Deciduous tree
Habitat: Moist woods, floodplains and disturbed sites
Key feature: Opposite compound leaves and narrow samaras
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Look in moist woods and along waterways, as well as disturbed open ground. Fruit-bearing branches offer useful details in addition to foliage.
White Ash and Black Ash can be confused with Green Ash. White Ash commonly has a more deeply notched upper leaf scar; Black Ash has stalkless lateral leaflets. Use several features together.
The bark views are included under the photographer’s field identification. Bark texture alone is not a reliable way to separate Green Ash from other ashes. The two-trunk photograph shows Green Ash on the left and Sugar Maple on the right.
Each compound leaf consists of multiple leaflets. Their short stalks and the arrangement of the whole leaves on the twig help with identification; leaflet shape varies considerably.
The close-ups show narrow, single-winged fruits called samaras. Their wings extend down alongside part of the elongated seed-bearing base, supporting the Green Ash identification.
8 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it and browse the slideshow.
Native to North America and widespread in Wisconsin. Sightings represent reported observations, not a complete distribution map.
Woodlands · Wetlands · Plant identification help
Photographed at Martin’s Woods: explore the location and its woodland habitats.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.
Spotted a possible identification error or have an observation to share? Leave a comment below. For an ID correction, include the photo filename and the features that support your suggestion.