Green Ash (Fraxinus pensylvanica) is one of 2 species of ashes that occur in my area (Northern Virginia), White Ash (F. americana) being the other. Both have been decimated by the non-native insect pest, the Emerald Ash Borer. Thankfully, hundreds of thousands of young ash trees are regrowing from the seeds set out by their dying parent trees. We will need to wait and see what effect the EAB has on these young regenerating trees. EAB is reported to infest ashes of any age. So far, those I have observed are doing well.

Telling one species of ash from another can be tricky, the distinguishing characteristics of the fruits and leaves are subtle. But the twigs provide clearer and year-round help. The rusty-brown buds of Green Ash sit at or near the top of the leaf scar. See how the lateral bud at the bottom of this image just barely makes a dent in the leaf scar. This is distinct from the White Ash, whose buds sit well down into the top of the leaf scar.

Location: Burke Lake Park, Virginia