Ashes are dioecious trees—which means that individual trees contain either male or female parts, but not both. Male trees can be chosen if you do not want the messiness of the fruit/seeds. The fruits on ash trees are samaras, similar to the winged seeds of maples, and they are usually grouped in clusters on the stem. Here are 13 species of ash trees used as shade, lawn, and street trees. This is one of the species of ash most devastated by emerald ash borer; experts no longer recommend planting it.
Native area: Eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S.USDA growing zones: 3 to 6Height: 50 to 80 feetSun exposure: Full sun
Native area: Eastern and northern North AmericaUSDA growing zones: 3 to 9Height: 50 to 70 feetSun exposure: Full sun
Native area: Eastern North AmericaUSDA growing zones: 3 to 9Height: 60 to 80 feetSun exposure: Full sun
Traditionally used as a shade tree or street tree, blue ash is reported to have a considerably higher survival rate in areas infested by emerald ash borer, possibly due to some inherent genetic resistance, though it is not as resistant as some Asian species.
Native Area: Midwestern U.S.USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 7Height: 50 to 75 feet Sun Exposure: Full sun
Emerald ash borer has not yet affected the California ash in its native range. However, there is evidence the beetle has traveled as far west as Colorado and is likely to eventually reach the West Coast.
Native area: California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Baja CaliforniaUSDA zones: 7 to 9Height: Up to 20 feetSun exposure: Full sun
Native area: Cuba, subtropical southern U.S.USDA growing zones: 7 to 9Height: 30 to 40 feet Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
European ash is reported to be somewhat less attractive to emerald ash borer than are black, green, and white ashes, but it is far from immune.
Native area: Europe and southwestern AsiaUSDA growing zones: 5 to 8Height: 60 to 80 feet; sometimes tallerSun exposure: Full sun
Native area: Arizona, New Mexico, and TexasUSDA growing zones: 7 to 10Height: 15 to 20 feetSun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Like other ash trees that are not native to North America, this Asian species may have greater resistance to emerald ash borer, although the precise reason for this is not yet understood.
Native area: Southern Europe and southwestern Asia USDA growing zones: 6 to 9 Height: 40 to 50 feet tall Sun exposure: Full sun
This is another non-North American ash that may have greater resistance to damage from emerald ash borers.
Native area: Southwest Asia, southern and central Europe, and northwest AfricaUSDA growing zones: 5 to 8Height: 50 to 80 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
Native area: Eastern North AmericaUSDA growing zones: 5 to 9Height: 60 to 80 feet, sometimes over 100 feetSun exposure: Full sun
Native area: Southwestern North AmericaUSDA Growing zones: 7 to 10Height: 20 to 50 feetSun exposure: Full sun
Native area: Eastern AsiaUSDA growing zones: 3 to 6Height: 40 to 50 feetSun exposure: Full sun
