Elevation Oregon ash usually grows at elevations from sea level to 3000 ft, although it may be found as high as 5000 ft. Soils Oregon ash typically grows on deep, poorly drained clays or silty clay loams that are rich in humus. For thicker stock, contact the Forest Product Department at OSU for additional schedules. There are no known examples of operational forest plantations. Use by people: Natives used Oregon Ash wood for canoe paddles and digging sticks. It turns well and, when holes are bored in ash, the holes are smooth with minimal size variation. Because of its light color, the glue line can be visible on sapwood if darker resins are used. Oregon ash is intolerant of shade, and may eventually be replaced by more competitive trees such as bigleaf maples or conifers that block the light with their leaves or sheer size. USDA Forest Service, Washington D.C. Agriculture Handbook 654. The nail-holding ability of Oregon ash is good. Young stands are typically dense; early thinning to allocate stand growth to well-formed trees can improve stand quality. Rarely will an Ash tree live past 80 years old. 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. The sapwood is nearly white and is wide. Unpublished data. We process it into lumber for flooring, furniture and cabinetry. OWSTON, P.W. 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. Good growth potential is indicated by the following: Climate Oregon ash thrives in a mild, humid climate characterized by relatively cool, humid summers and wet, mild winters. 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. The best results in planing are obtained with tooling that has a 25° hook angle. The future of our Oregon Ash is uncertain though. Oregon ash sprouts vigorously from cut stumps or fire-killed trees. It is the only ash native to the Pacific Northwest. Amazingly, the trees manage to coexist with these invaders for an impressively long time before they finally succumb to the ravages of age, decay, and insects. Oregon ash. We work with Oregon White Oak, Western Bigleaf Maple and Oregon Ash, manufacturing hardwood flooring, millwork and lumber. Suitability and Productivity of Sites Oregon ash is particularly suited to heavy soils and poorly drained areas, which are often too wet for any other tree, including cottonwood. Propagation of the herb: Its hardness and compressive strength is good; thus it is well suited for most furniture, paneling, or flooring applications. Composition and structure of Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia) forest in William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon. The capability of a site for growing Oregon ash should be evaluated by examining growth and form of older trees. We process it into lumber for flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Germination rates are medium to high. Its impact resistance, however, is rated as high. With properties similar to the Eastern Ashes, it is very suitable for a wide range of applications. Burns and B.H. Sapstains and sticker stains can also degrade the wood. The foliage is food for butterfly larvae and may be consumed by passing browsers. Latewood pores are small, barely visible to the naked eye. Both mechanical and chemical treatment options may be limited on typical, wet Oregon ash sites. Overtopped trees of any age can respond to release with openings in the overstory. Green MC of Oregon ash wood averages 49 percent. Ash grows primarily along the creeks and in the wet and marshy areas of the valley. Stumps should be cut low to the ground in order to produce well-formed sprouts of good quality. Genetics Some of the stand-to-stand variation in the form of Oregon ash may have a genetic basis. R.M. A variety of fungi cause leaf spot and powdery mildew. Oregon ash, a member of the olive family (Oleaceae), is one of 16 species of ash in the United States. Mechanical Properties Because Oregon ash is moderately hard and heavy, it is rated intermediate in bending strength and stiffness. It also makes good firewood. 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