About Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia) 15 Nurseries Carry This Plant Add to My Plant List; Fraxinus latifolia (Oregon ash) is a member of the Oleaceae (Olive) family native to western North America on the west side of the Cascade Range from southwestern British Columbia south through western Washington and western Oregon to central California. Insects and Diseases Weevils (Thysanocnemis spp.) Geographic Range Oregon ash is native from northern Washington (lat 48° N) to southern California (lat 35° N) on the west side of the Cascade Range and the Sierra Nevada. AHRENS. Although Oregon ash would probably benefit from control of competing vegetation on a site, established seedlings seem to grow well amidst substantial competition in old fields. Its impact resistance, however, is rated as high. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Seed The winged seeds (10,000 to 14,000/lb) are dispersed by wind during September and October. HIBBS, D.E., and G.R. The relatively small volume of sawlogs that are harvested are fully utilized, demand for lumber is relatively high. College of ForestryOregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-5704 Phone: 541-737-2004owic@oregonstate.edu................... Forest Engineering, Resources & Management, Top height on mature trees of at least 60 ft, Sustained height growth of 1 to 2 ft per year at ages 5 to 20 years. Size, Longevity, and Form Mature Oregon ash attain heights of 60 to 80 ft and DBH of 16 to 30 in. Harvesting of Oregon ash may often be subject to restrictions for protection of riparian zones or wetlands. The future of our Oregon Ash is uncertain though. Product Recovery Sawlogs usually have a minimum small-end diameter of 6 in. It is a dominant tree in local forested wetlands, paired with an understory of spiraea and slough sedge. R.M. Log grades have not been developed. Stand Management Oregon ash is not generally managed for timber production. True mistletoe grows on Oregon ash. Throughout the eastern U.S., the Emerald Ash Borer is devastating Ash forests. Hibbs. Genetics Some of the stand-to-stand variation in the form of Oregon ash may have a genetic basis. Germination rates are medium to high. Interactions with Wildlife Ribbonlike forests of Oregon ash along streams and sloughs provide an important forest habitat in valleys that are otherwise cultivated farm or pasture. Overtopped trees of any age can respond to release with openings in the overstory. Ash grows primarily along the creeks and in the wet and marshy areas of the valley. Ecological Role Oregon ash is a long-term dominant in riparian areas along slow streams and in other poorly drained areas subject to seasonal flooding. For thicker stock, contact the Forest Product Department at OSU for additional schedules. Other uses of Oregon Ash: A fairly wind resistant tree, it can be grown as part of a shelterbelt planting. The table below provides an appropriate dry-kiln schedule. Management of these areas must integrate the range of growth rates, shade tolerance, and regeneration needs among associated species. It shows up most everywhere, but it rarely grows in abundance over large acreages. Although many seeds are transported by flood waters, few seedlings establish from seeds deposited on sandy or gravelly stream beds. The decay will initially show up as a discoloration, and only much later will the wood begin to lose its density and strength as the decay progresses. We process it into lumber for flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Oregon ash also grows on upland forest soils adjacent to more typical ash habitat. There are few estimates of volume growth or yield for Oregon ash. Common shrub associates include snowberry, hawthorn, serviceberry, mockorange, crabapple, and himalaya berry. The availability of Oregon ash for timber harvest is significantly restricted by regulations governing forestry practices in riparian areas and wetlands. 1995. Flowering & Fruiting Oregon ash begins producing seed at about 30 years of age. Regeneration from Vegetative Sprouts Oregon ash sprouts vigorously from the root collar after cutting. Oregon ash provide food and habitat for beaver and nutria, which also significantly damage the trees. Propagation of the herb: Tolerance, Crown Position Oregon ash is intermediate in tolerance, and commonly occurs in intermediate or codominant crown positions. It is only a matter of time before it arrives in Oregon. Ahrens, S. Willits, and D.E. The unique color of Oregon Ash is a great complement to the Oregon Oak and Western Maple that we saw. Zena Forest Products| 503-687-2626 | ben@zenaforest.com The mill is open to visitors by appointment only, spread across the entire eastern half of the U.S, http://www.emeraldashborer.info/documents/MultiState_EABpos.pdf. Timber Inventory The total inventory of Oregon ash (about 184 MMCF) is scattered across all subregions of Oregon and Washington (Appendix 1, Table 1). Ash may live at least 250 years. Oregon Ash’s characteristic marbling is on full display in these floor boards. Oregon ash is widely planted and does very well in ornamental applications, which indicates its potential for good performance in managed plantations. This little bug bores under the bark, and feeds on the inner bark layers, thereby disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. 1987. Lumber grade recovery has not been studied. Like Western Maple, Oregon Ash does not live forever and will start to rot from the inside out as it matures. destroy significant amounts of seed (up to 60 percent). Annual growth was about 70 ft3 per acre in both lightly thinned and unthinned stands. Oregon ash that establish on drier sites often persist in a stunted, crooked form. Ecological Role Oregon ash is a long-term dominant in riparian areas along slow streams and in other poorly drained areas subject to seasonal flooding. Site Preparation and Vegetative Management Little site preparation is necessary for establishing stands of sprout origin. There is very little historical documentation of Oregon Ash being used for anything except firewood. Nail and screw splitting are less problematic than with other, more dense woods such as oak. Growth and Yield Growth of Oregon ash is moderately rapid for the first 60 years (1 to 2 ft per year). Honkala, coords. The fruits are oblong to elliptical samaras 1 to 2 in. Associated Vegetation Tree species commonly associated with Oregon ash are black cottonwood, red alder, white alder, bigleaf maple, Oregon white oak, California-laurel, California sycamore, and various willows. Oregon Ash is a deciduous Hardwood tree that grows in all types of environments through out Washington State and Oregon although it’s predominate in the southwestern portion of the Pacific northwest , which is how it became know as Oregon Ash. Tool wear is moderate. http://owic.oregonstate.edu/oregon-ash-fraxinus-latifolia, http://www.emeraldashborer.info/documents/MultiState_EABpos.pdf. Growth and stem form are often quite poor on poorer sites; the suitability of sites should be evaluated before effort is invested in management of Oregon ash. It also makes good firewood. Early growth of stump sprouts is quite rapid (3 to 4 ft per year). It is the only ash native to the Pacific Northwest. Oregon State University, Forest Research Laboratory. Today the hard wood is used for tool handles, furniture, sports equipment, and barrels. The wood is somewhat lustrous. We are a family owned business located in the Eola Hills of the Willamette Valley, Oregon. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can. We still promote the naturally regenerated seedlings, but we are planting Alder in the areas where we used to plant Ash. Its hardness and compressive strength is good; thus it is well suited for most furniture, paneling, or flooring applications. We work with Oregon White Oak, Western Bigleaf Maple and Oregon Ash, manufacturing hardwood flooring, millwork and lumber. One of the great parts of my job is the opportunity to connect with and help other landowners think through ways to manage their hardwood forests here in the valley. The nail-holding ability of Oregon ash is good. With properties similar to the Eastern Ashes, it is very suitable for a wide range of applications. Oregon ash. Cruising and Harvesting There are no equations or tables for calculating tree volume. These values are similar to other ash species. Oregon ash has a fairly high tolerance to summer drought; however, it generally ceases growth and drops its leaves when conditions become hot and dry. It may replace cottonwood on heavy soils and on swampy ground with poor drainage during th… Adhesives Oregon ash bonds satisfactorily and there are no unusual problems when conditions are well controlled. Young trees typically grow vigorously for their first 60 years, with their growth slowing considerably in the following years. Research Contribution 8.