Ash, Berlandier

The Berlandier ash (as well as other forms of ash) is identifiable by its unique seeds, called “keys,” and its diamond-shaped bark pattern. Its leaves are dark green, serrated, and opposite one another on the branch. The tree is named after botanist Jean Louis Berlandier. Wherever you see the name Frensos or Fresno in a city or town name (as Fresno, CA) it is named after the Spanish fresnos or Ash Trees. The city Los Fresnos in Cameron County, Texas is named for the proliferation of Fraxinus berlandieriana or Mexican Ash in the area. The small to medium size tree grows fast to form a broad crown and reaches up to 70 (max) feet in height. Mexican ash is normally found in moist canyons and along streams and rivers of the Rio Grande Plains and southern Gulf Prairies. It is widely planted there, often marketed as “Arizona Ash”.

The LEAVES are opposite, pinnately compound, 5 to 9 inches long, typically 5 leaflets (occasionally more or less), leaflets are elliptical to ovate, margins entire (maybe wavy toothed), shiny green above and paler and pubescent below (maybe smooth).

The FLOWERS are unisexual and monoecious; small and inconspicuous individually, light green to brown to purple, borne in dense clusters before the leaves appear. Blooming from March to early June.

The FRUIT is a single wing, straight samara, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, plump seed, large hanging clusters mature in late summer.

The TWIGS are stout, hairy when young, gray to brown with age, leaf scars fairly large.

The BARK is smooth and lt brown when young, develops shallow fissures and scaly ridges in an irregular diamond pattern, dk gray-brown.

WILDLIFE: Ashes (Fraxinus spp.) are used as food plants by the larvae (caterpillars) of a number of Lepidoptera species. Specifically Fraxinus berlandieriana is a larval host and/or nectar source for the Orange Sulfur, Giant Sulfur, Tiger Swallowtail and the Sleepy Orange. The tree is also cover and a nesting site for granivorous birds and browse for the local deer population.

Up to 30 known caterpillars are known to feed on the tree as a whole for all species inclusive of the pest bagworms and webworms. The benefits the tree provides can be offset by battling these pesky little critters.