Ash

Ash trees, in the Fraxinus genus, are commercially valuable hardwood trees that are quite common in the Northeast. The three native ash species that may be found in the region are:

• White ash – Fraxinus americana
• Green ash – Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Black ash – Fraxinus nigra

White and green ash have both been recorded at the conservation area in fairly large numbers.  Many of these seeded themselves in areas that are too wet for mature ash trees to thrive, and their health fails as they approach a respectable size. But even the more healthy ash trees will probably succumb to an infestation of the emerald ash borer within the not-too distant future.