How long does a white ash tree live?

Provided it can remain free of emerald ash borer and other pest and disease issues, a white ash tree can live for more than two centuries, achieving a height of 100 feet or more. But should your tree become stricken with emerald ash borer, it will likely survive no more than three to five years after infestation begins.

Is there another tree species that is recommended instead of ash?

Though they were once similarly devastated by Dutch elm disease, elms are now available in cultivars that have near-perfect resistance to that disease. With a growth rate and growth habit that is similar to ash, these elms are now good choices for locations where ash trees were once the recommended species.

How bad is emerald ash borer?

Very bad indeed. After appearing in 2002, the insect has spread to more than 35 states. Once it arrives in an area where the ash population is dense, it usually kills as much as 99 percent of the ash trees within a decade. It's strongly recommended not to plant this tree at the present time—the more ash trees that are present, the faster the insect can spread.

How effective are chemical treatments to prevent EAB?

Preventive treatment with a systemic chemical pesticide such as emamectin benzoate can help prevent a tree from succumbing to emerald ash borer if treatment is begun early enough—before a tree is infected and if the treatment is repeated every other year. But the cost of each treatment can be hundreds of dollars, and in an area where EAB has already gained a foothold, your tree may be living on borrowed time no matter what you do. That said, a healthy tree that is treated every other year by a professional can hold off EAB for a considerable length of time—enough time for a replacement tree of a different species to get a good start, for example. But be wary of any business that guarantees they can prevent EAB on any particular tree.

Are there any ash tree species or varieties that are resistant to EAB?

EAB affects virtually all native North American ash species, including green ash, white ash, and red ash. But some recently developed cultivars are showing some resistance to the insect, as are some species of Asian ashes and hybrids created by crossing North American with Asian species. Future years may see ash trees once more used as urban shade trees, but at this time, it is recommended to avoid planting any ash trees.

How to Grow and Care for White Ash

In This Article

Care
Types
Pruning
Propagating White Ash
Growing From Seed
Overwintering
Pests & Diseases
Bloom
Common Problems
Frequently Asked Questions

The white ash (Fraxinus americana) is one of several ash species that were once extremely important North American landscape trees, but whose use is now heavily discouraged due to the spreading devastation caused by emerald ash borer (EAB) insects. If you’ve ever held a wooden baseball bat, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with white ash. Fraxinus americana is native to the eastern portion of North America, and it gets its common name from the pale whitish undersides of its otherwise deep green leaves, which turn a rich red, yellow, or purple in the fall.

Early autumn has traditionally been the best time of year to plant white ash, usually from a container-grown or ball-and-burlap nursery plant. Young white ashes start out with a somewhat pyramidal shape, and they grow at a moderate rate to eventually be more rounded and quite tall. But although it is still possible to buy white ash trees, planting them is now discouraged by scientists and civic officials seeking to slow the spread of emerald ash borer, which thrives when ash trees are plentiful and in close proximity. If you are still inclined to purchase and plant an ash tree, prepare yourself for the expense of the eventual removal of the tree.

Common Name	White ash
Botanical Name	Fraxinus americana
Family	Oleaceae
Plant Type	Deciduous tree
Mature Size	60–80 ft. tall, 60–80 ft. wide
Sun Exposure	Full
Soil Type	Rich, loamy, moist but well-draining
Soil pH	Acidic to alkaline (6.0 to 8.0)
Bloom Time	April to May
Flower Color	Purplish
Hardiness Zones	3–9 (USDA)
Native Area	Eastern North America

closeup of white mountain ash foliage — The Spruce / Autumn Wood

white mountain ash foliage — The Spruce / Autumn Wood

white mountain ash tree — The Spruce / Autumn Wood

White Ash Tree Care

White ash trees grow naturally in hardwood forests of the United States and Canada and are often found along water sources. In landscape use, they are excellent large shade trees and are often seen lining city streets thanks to their tolerance for urban conditions. They grow best in locations that get a lot of light and have fertile, moist soil.

In regions not yet affected by emerald ash borer, white ash is a fairly low-maintenance tree. Plan to fertilize annually and prune every few years, as well as prune problem areas such as broken branches as needed. Also, water as needed to maintain at least moderate soil moisture. And be on the lookout for signs of disease, which should be treated promptly. You may also face the expense of chemical treatment to prevent emerald ash borer infestation.

Warning

White ash trees continue to be sold, but planting one is a questionable act, as university arborists predict that the spread of emerald ash borer could spell the end of nearly all North American ash trees over the next few decades. In fact, many communities are preemptively cutting down healthy ash trees to slow the spread of this destructive insect. Before choosing to plant this tree, a responsible homeowner should be prepared for the considerable expense of providing the tree with preventive chemical treatments every few years.

Light

White ash trees grow best in full sun. This means that young trees should be in a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days.

Soil

These trees prefer organically rich loamy soil with good drainage. They are not fussy about soil pH, doing well in acidic, neutral, or alkaline soil.

Water

White ash trees like even moisture in the soil, but don't want to be soggy due to poor drainage. They can tolerate short dry spells, though prolonged drought can damage a tree. So make sure to water them during stretches without rainfall to maintain soil moisture. Precisely how much and how often to water will vary depending the age of the tree, the composition of the soil, and the climate in your area, but in general, these trees should do well if they receive the standard recommendation for landscape plants—1 inch per week through a combination of rainfall, and irrigation. For young trees (one to two years old) it will be important to follow this prescription—and in sandy soils young trees might need even more water. In soils that are very dense and poorly draining, however, this much water could be too much.

Temperature and Humidity

White ash trees thrive in the range of climates of USDA growing zones 3 to 9. Mature trees will survive temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, though young specimens may be vulnerable for the first 10 years or so. In extreme climates, they are best planted in a spot that is protected from strong winds. Humidity is not a concern for white ash trees as long as there is adequate soil drainage.

Fertilizer

White ash trees can benefit from an annual application of an all-purpose tree fertilizer each fall. Apply it according to label instructions under the tree’s canopy, then water it into the soil.

Types of White Ash

Several varieties of white ash trees have been commonly planted in recent years, including:

‘Autumn Applause’: This tree features maroon fall foliage and notably dense branches.
‘Chicago Regal’: This is a fast-growing variety that has purple leaves in autumn.
‘Greenspire’: This tree has a narrow, upright growth habit and turns dark orange in the fall.
'Skycole': This cultivar has a very symmetrical growth habit with a strong central leader, topping out at about 50 feet. It turns orange or red in the fall.

Pruning

Pruning a white ash tree will both help to train the tree’s growth and help established trees remain healthy. Prune in the fall just after leaves start to drop. Young trees should be pruned annually while established trees will need pruning every few years. With larger trees, pruning work is best done by a reputable professional.

On young trees, you will likely see several trunks, also known as leaders. Select the strongest one and prune off the rest to ensure healthy upright growth. Plus, on both young and old trees, prune off any thin branches in the fall to improve airflow throughout the tree. And take off damaged, diseased, or dead branches as you spot them. Before disposing of any diseased portions, check with your local cooperative extension office to see whether there are any special procedures for the disposal, which is often the case in areas plagued by emerald ash borer, where storing or transporting ash wood may be restricted.

Propagating White Ash

Although propagation of any kind is now discouraged due to emerald ash borer, white ash trees are relatively easy to propagate by taking green stem cuttings during the growing season and rooting them in a growing medium.

This is actually one of the methods being used to experiment with new cultivars that might show resistance to EAB. When a particular mature tree seems to show natural genetic resistance to the insect, controlled propagation of that specimen from stem cuttings by plant scientists may ultimately provide a reproducible cultivar that allows ash trees to once more be a viable landscape option.

For the moment, though, there is no reason for homeowners to attempt the propagation of this tree.

How to Grow White Ash From Seed

The seeds found in the winged samsara require a period of cold stratification in order to germinate. In practice, this often occurs simply by seeds that overwinter in the soil, then sprout up as volunteers in the spring. If not for the problems of emerald ash borer, these volunteers can easily be transplanted into new locations—or the seeds can be planted wherever you want a new tree to grow up.

Overwintering

Planted within its recognized hardiness range, white ash requires no special winter protection or preparation, other than making sure the tree is well-watered going into winter. However, late fall after the leaves have fallen is a good time to do any necessary pruning on the tree. And fallen leaves should be cleaned up to prevent fungi from overwintering.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

The other pests and diseases to which white ash is susceptible are nearly irrelevant, due to the seriousness of a single pest: the emerald ash borer

Gardening experts do not currently recommend planting white ash trees due to their vulnerability to EAB. It is an invasive beetle native to Asia that was first spotted in the Midwestern United States in 2002. It has since spread quickly through more than 35 states and parts of Canada, and it's expected that this single pest may eventually virtually eradicate ash trees from North America. Once the emerald ash borer infests a tree by boring under the bark, it can quickly kill the tree within a few years. Eradication and prevention methods are thus far not very successful.

Dead leaves and premature fall leaf coloring are two signs of emerald ash borer infestation. You also might see dead branches around the tree’s crown, as well as new leaf shoots coming out of the trunk or branches. These shoots are a sign the tree is making an effort to produce extra leaves to help in photosynthesis. In addition, you might notice D-shaped holes in the tree, which are a telltale sign of a fully developed beetle boring out of the tree. Other lesions on the tree could be a sign of beetle larvae feeding.

If you see any of these signs, consult with a professional arborist to see whether anything can be done to save the tree, but in nearly all instances, the recommendation will be the removal of the tree. In many communities, civic authorities are authorized to identify affected trees and order their removal by homeowners.

white ash tree with emerald ash borer damage — Tree with emerald ash borer damage rnkr / Getty Images

Although the danger from other pests pales by comparison to ash borer, these trees can also be susceptible to aphids, scale, leaf miners, and webworms—none of which really require much in the way of treatment. Ash trees are also susceptible to various fungal leaf spot diseases, powdery mildew, rust, anthracnose, and ash yellows caused by a bacteria-like organism. Ash yellows causes slow growth and may prompt "witch brooms," in which the branch tips form small clusters of branches. There is no cure for ash yellows, though affected trees may persist for many years without succumbing.

How to Get White Ash to Bloom

Male and female purple flowers appear on these trees in April and May, before the leaves appear. They are not particularly showy, so there is no real reason you should want the trees to flower. Female flowers are followed by clusters of winged samaras that cling to the tree before drying and falling in the fall. For this reason, female cultivars are quite messy, and landscapers sometimes prefer male cultivars that don't produce seeds.

Common Problems With White Ash

In addition to the many insect problems and diseases to which white ash is vulnerable (see above), these are relatively brittle trees that are easily damaged by wind. Homeowners should be wary of planting them too near structures and be prepared for regular clean-up after storms and heavy winter snows.

FAQ

How long does a white ash tree live?

Provided it can remain free of emerald ash borer and other pest and disease issues, a white ash tree can live for more than two centuries, achieving a height of 100 feet or more. But should your tree become stricken with emerald ash borer, it will likely survive no more than three to five years after infestation begins.
Is there another tree species that is recommended instead of ash?

Though they were once similarly devastated by Dutch elm disease, elms are now available in cultivars that have near-perfect resistance to that disease. With a growth rate and growth habit that is similar to ash, these elms are now good choices for locations where ash trees were once the recommended species.
How bad is emerald ash borer?

Very bad indeed. After appearing in 2002, the insect has spread to more than 35 states. Once it arrives in an area where the ash population is dense, it usually kills as much as 99 percent of the ash trees within a decade. It's strongly recommended not to plant this tree at the present time—the more ash trees that are present, the faster the insect can spread.
How effective are chemical treatments to prevent EAB?

Preventive treatment with a systemic chemical pesticide such as emamectin benzoate can help prevent a tree from succumbing to emerald ash borer if treatment is begun early enough—before a tree is infected and if the treatment is repeated every other year. But the cost of each treatment can be hundreds of dollars, and in an area where EAB has already gained a foothold, your tree may be living on borrowed time no matter what you do.
That said, a healthy tree that is treated every other year by a professional can hold off EAB for a considerable length of time—enough time for a replacement tree of a different species to get a good start, for example. But be wary of any business that guarantees they can prevent EAB on any particular tree.
Are there any ash tree species or varieties that are resistant to EAB?

EAB affects virtually all native North American ash species, including green ash, white ash, and red ash. But some recently developed cultivars are showing some resistance to the insect, as are some species of Asian ashes and hybrids created by crossing North American with Asian species. Future years may see ash trees once more used as urban shade trees, but at this time, it is recommended to avoid planting any ash trees.