White ash

Fraxinus americana L.

Family: Oleaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not stated by our sources (not a clearance). Detail: the Ontario Tree Atlas page has no poison or skin-contact section

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA has no page for this plant. Do not treat as pet-safe.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Fraxinus americana L. (Ontario Tree Atlas and Kew WCVP agree), not on the common name.. The Red Deer, Alberta list calls the cultivar Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Nobility' "Nobility White Ash". That is a green ash cultivar, a different species from white ash (Fraxinus americana).

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: Not checked yet
Light: Full sun preferred; partial shade tolerated (Ontario).
Water needs: moderate moderate is a plain-language reading of Ontario: prefers moist soils. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: Ontario Tree Atlas: reaches about 98 ft (30 m) high

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon