Oleaceae (olive family) Fraxinus

Fraxinus latifolia Oregon ash

Pacific Coast

Oregon ash is a major timber tree in the coastal forests north of the border with Oregon, but is also native in a spreading form to the neighborhood of Palo Alto. The leaves, up to 12 inches long, may have five to seven leaflets of which the terminal leaflet is longest and may be 6 inches long. The margins are wavy, but practically without teeth, and the side leaflets may be stalkless. Samaras are borne on female trees and are about 1½ inches long. Several large rough-barked trees at the corner of Roth Way and Lasuen Street may be Oregon ash.

Name derivation: Fraxinus – classical Latin name for ash; latifolia – broad-leaved.

About this Entry: The main text of this entry is from the book Trees of Stanford and Environs, by Ronald Bracewell, published 2005.