Fraxinus latifolia

Identification

Gallery

Description

Oregon Ash is a tree of the meadows and stream banks of the Willamette Valley in Oregon. In California this Ash is usually in more sheltered locations and a smaller tree. It takes centuries to become a 150 specimen in Oregon, in California it is more commonly a small tree. In most California gardens I'd not expect it to exceed 30-40 feet in fifty years. In a ten year garden, maybe 25 feet. Although it is a decent hardwood, it is used as fuel. "It splits easily, burns readily, and has a high caloric value almost the equal of Eastern White Oak". (Donald Peattie, A Natural History of Western Trees, 1953) The smaller, younger trees have better wood for furniture. Syn. Fraxinus oregona, F. americana ssp. oregona, Frax. lat. oregona, Fraxinus pennsylvania spp. oregona.)