How much sun does White Ash need?

White Ash grows best in full sun conditions.

When does White Ash bloom?

White Ash blooms in April and May.

Where is White Ash native?

White Ash (Fraxinus americana) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 31 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is White Ash toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag White Ash as toxic to livestock.

What butterflies or moths does White Ash host?

White Ash is a larval host plant for spring azure, tiger swallowtail, and viceroy butterfly.

Is White Ash HOA-friendly?

White Ash takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

White Ash

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Fraxinus americana

Last reviewed: October 2026

Toxicity unknown

White Ash (Fraxinus americana) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag White Ash as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

720"–960" H × 600"–840" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 31 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like White Ash.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

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American ash is a large native deciduous tree with an upright, oval crown and compound leaves that turn yellow to purple in fall. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers in spring before the leaves emerge. This stately tree was once common in New England landscapes but has been severely impacted by the invasive emerald ash borer beetle.

In an HOA neighborhood

White Ash takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely susceptible to emerald ash borer which has killed millions of ash trees
May require expensive treatments or removal
Large size inappropriate for most residential lots

Wildlife value

Host plant for spring azure, tiger swallowtail, viceroy butterfly.

The flowers attract bees and beetles in early spring. Seeds provide food for birds and small mammals, while the foliage supports various native moth and butterfly caterpillars.

Common questions

How much sun does White Ash need?: White Ash grows best in full sun conditions.
When does White Ash bloom?: White Ash blooms in April and May.
Where is White Ash native?: White Ash (Fraxinus americana) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 31 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is White Ash toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag White Ash as toxic to livestock.
What butterflies or moths does White Ash host?: White Ash is a larval host plant for spring azure, tiger swallowtail, and viceroy butterfly.
Is White Ash HOA-friendly?: White Ash takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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