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The Black Ash is a slow-growing tree, found in bogs, along streams, or in poorly drained areas in the Algonquin Highlands. Other common names are Basket Ash, Brown Ash, Swamp Ash and Water Ash.
It is one of the area’s largest trees, reaching heights of 18 to 21 metres. The crown is small and open, with large spreading or ascending branches. Branchlets, with 7-11 leaflets each 8-13 cm long, are stout with dark buds. Its trunk, with diameter of 25-30 cm, has light grey bark, and is soft with corky edges. The leaves are oval to lance-shaped.
The Black Ash’s fruit is an elongated, winged, and single-seeded samara. It ripens from June to September. The seeds are an important food to game birds, songbirds, and small animals, and the twigs and leaves eaten by deer and moose.
Black Ash wood, easily split, has been much used for baskets. As it is lighter in weight and not as strong or hard as other ashes, it is often used for interior finishing, furniture, and cabinets.
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