tree saplings - Ask Extension
I have a lot of saplings coming out in the past few years. I was told they are ash, but not sure. Are these truly ash saplings?
Knowledgebase
tree saplings #865290
Asked April 21, 2024, 9:23 AM EDT
I have a lot of saplings coming out in the past few years. I was told they are ash, but not sure. Are these truly ash saplings?
Hamilton County Ohio
Expert Response
Your seedlings do look like ash trees. Here's are some tips from an ash identification publication by Oregon State University:
Ashes are easy to identify because they’re one of the few groups of trees whose leaves are both opposite and pinnately compound — that is, a complete leaf is composed of a single stalk with multiple leaflets arising along that stalk (Figure 1); and pairs of complete leaves arise oppositely from one another on the branch (Figure 2).
Ashes are easy to identify because they’re one of the few groups of trees whose leaves are both opposite and pinnately compound — that is, a complete leaf is composed of a single stalk with multiple leaflets arising along that stalk (Figure 1); and pairs of complete leaves arise oppositely from one another on the branch (Figure 2).
- Leaves are opposite and pinnately compound; one complete leaf is commonly 5–10 inches (15–30 cm) long (Figure 5).
- Each complete leaf has five to seven oval leaflets, each 2–5 inches (5-15 cm) long and 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) wide. They are elliptical, with a short-pointed terminal end.
- The lateral leaflets are stalkless, or on a short stalk (petiolule). They are medium to light green above and paler green and slightly hairy below. Fall color is yellow or brown.
