Life History and Disturbance Response of Fraxinus quadrangulata (Blue Ash)
Family: Oleaceae
Guild: opportunistic, fast growing, understory tolerant
Functional Lifeform: small to medium deciduous tree
Ecological Role: Occurs in limestone soils of dry uplands, hillsides and occasionally bottomlands. Associates with several oaks, American elm, hawthorn, redbud and mockernut hickory
Lifespan, yrs (typical/max): ?/150
Shade Tolerance: intermediate
Height, m: 20m
Canopy Tree: yes
Pollination Agent: wind
Seeding, yrs (begins/optimal/declines): 25/
Mast Frequency, yrs: 3-4 yrs
New Cohorts Source: seeds or sprouts
Flowering Dates: early spring
Flowers/Cones Damaged by Frost: yes
Seedfall Begins: late fall
Seed Banking: 1+yrs
Cold Stratification Required: yes
Seed Type/Dispersal Distance/Agent: winged/200m/wind
Season of Germination: spring
Seedling Rooting System: seedling and stump sprouts
Establishment Seedbed Preferences:
Substrate: variable
Light: overstory shade
Moisture: moist required
Temperature: neutral
Disturbance Response:
Fire: stems easily damaged but many sprout and abundant wind-dispersed seed may be primary mechanism for postfire establishment
Weather:
Air Pollution:
Exotics: