Black Ash
Fraxinus nigra
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © sadawolk (iNaturalist #102128404)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Genus:
- Fraxinus
- Species:
- Fraxinus nigra
- USDA Symbol:
- FRNI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Adita chionanthi, Ash Borer (Podosesia syringae), ⚠️Canadian sphinx (Sphinx canadensis), elm spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria), fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), lilac sphinx (Sphinx kalmiae), Papaipema furcata, Splendid Palpita Moth (Palpita magniferalis), Spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata), Waved Sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa), Winter moth (Operophtera brumata), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), hickory hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Confusing bumble (Bombus perplexus) Moths:Anageshna primordialis, chocolate china-mark moth (Parapoynx badiusalis), Gracillaria syringella, Promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Notes:
- Not fire adapted; thin bark and wet habitat preference make it susceptible to fire damage.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, organic soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in swampy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Exhibits double dormancy; warm stratification (60 days) followed by cold stratification (60-90 days) typically required. Seeds may take two years to germinate in natural conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds require warm stratification followed by cold moist stratification for 60 to 90 days
Source: npn.rngr.net