White Ash

About White Ash in Alberta

White ash is a large eastern North American ash that is not native to Alberta and should be treated here as a rare cultivated tree. For ARA, a mature Alberta white ash is most important as a planted-history and survivor tree: it likely reflects intentional ornamental or collection planting in a favorable site rather than wild provincial ecology.

Identification: Leaves are opposite and pinnately compound, usually with 7 to 9 leaflets. Leaflets are clearly stalked and usually paler beneath than above, which is one of the best summer field traits for separating white ash from more familiar Alberta ash material.

Alberta range and habitat: White ash is not native to Alberta and should not be treated as a wild provincial ash. A wild-looking record would need strong evidence before being interpreted as anything other than planted or escaped from planting.