Hello Ev

Based on the photos you sent I do not think this is an ash tree. It looks like a Maple.

The symptoms and appearance suggest bacterial wet wood. This is a poorly understood disease that can infect many tree species used in residential areas, so I am not surprised you are seeing other trees with the same problem.

The bad news is there is no specific treatment, good news is that trees generally do not die from the problem.

The best management approach is to make sure the tree is watered during periods of drought. I am concerned about one thing I see in the photo that shows the planting area. It looks like there might be weed barrier fabric around the tree. I can see a piece sticking up. I would remove that fabric out to the drip-line of the tree. That cloth may be limiting the oxygen available to roots and impede penetration of water into the soil.

The link below will provide some additional information on bacterial wet wood.

https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/bacterial-wetwood-2-910/

I hope this is helpful.

Thank you Freddie!