Is it safe to plant a white ash tree today?

Due to the emerald ash borer, it is generally not recommended to plant new white ash trees unless you are prepared to treat them with insecticides.

How fast does it grow?

It is a fast growing tree that can add several feet of height per year when young.

Plant guide

White Ash.

Fraxinus americana

Pronounced FRASH-in-us uh-mer-ih-KAH-nuh

Also known as American ash, White Ash, cane ash

The white ash is a stately deciduous tree known for its strong wood and beautiful fall color. It thrives in deep, moist, well drained soils across eastern North America. You will love how its compound leaves turn shades of purple and gold in the autumn.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 50 to 80 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of room for its roots to spread. Keep an eye out for signs of the emerald ash borer, which is a serious pest for this species. Ensure it gets consistent moisture while it is getting established in your landscape.

Watering: Water deeply during dry spells to keep the root zone consistently moist.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.
Repotting: This tree is meant for outdoor planting and does not require repotting.
Soil: Rich, moist, well drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -35 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%

Safety

People: There is no significant toxicity reported for humans.
Children: The samara seeds can be a choking hazard for small children if ingested.
Contact allergens: The bark or leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The windborne pollen is a significant allergen for many people during the spring season.
Edibility: The seeds and leaves are not considered edible for humans.

How to identify it

Opposite, compound leaves with seven leaflets
Diamond shaped ridges on mature bark
Oar shaped samara seeds
Sturdy, upright branching habit

Height: 15 to 25m
Spread: 10 to 18m
Leaves: green, purple, yellow, deciduous
Flowers: green, purple, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: tan, brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Emerald Ash Borer · An invasive beetle that bores into the tree and eventually kills it.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your white ash from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: Spring, Autumn

Plant these trees in areas with ample space to accommodate their large mature size.

Grows well with

Sugar Maple · They share similar soil and moisture requirements in forest settings.
American Beech · These trees often grow together in mature hardwood forests.

Similar species

Green Ash · It is a closely related species that also suffers from similar pest issues.

Science

Family: Oleaceae
Genus: Fraxinus
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern and central North America.
Conservation: This species is currently threatened by the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that has devastated wild populations.

It thrives in rich, moist, well drained soils and often grows as a canopy tree in deciduous forests.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, seeds provide food for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: shade tree, timber production, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to plant a white ash tree today?: Due to the emerald ash borer, it is generally not recommended to plant new white ash trees unless you are prepared to treat them with insecticides.
How fast does it grow?: It is a fast growing tree that can add several feet of height per year when young.

Where the name comes from

The name Fraxinus is the classical Latin name for ash trees, while americana refers to its native range in the Americas.

Good to know

White ash trees can live for over 200 years in ideal conditions.
The leaves turn a beautiful purple or yellow color in the autumn.
It is one of the most important timber trees in North America.

Keep your white ash growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.