Black Ash — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Fraxinus nigra |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 30–60 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 10–18.3 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 5475–9125 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 914.4–1371.6 |
| Mature height (cm) | 1219.2–1981.2 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 609.6–1066.8 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 2–6 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | High |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Plant in consistently wet, poorly drained sites such as swamp edges, floodplains, or low spots where few other shade trees tolerate standing water for extended periods. Compound leaves with 7-11 leaflets turn a soft yellow in fall, and the tree's flexible wood was historically prized by indigenous basket weavers for splint material. Black ash is highly susceptible to emerald ash borer, so it is now best planted only in restoration or wetland mitigation contexts with active pest monitoring. Choose a site with year-round soil moisture, since this species does not tolerate drought.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0