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How to Identify an Ash Tree Download Article Co-authored by Michael Simpson, PhD
Last Updated: December 3, 2025 Fact Checked
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Comparing Branches
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This article was co-authored by Michael Simpson, PhD. Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 175,500 times.
Ash trees belong to the Fraxinus species and grow commonly in cities and forests. It can be easy to mistake an Ash tree for Black Walnut, Maple, Boxelder, Hickory or Dogwood trees. You will need to compare several plant characteristics, including the leaves, branches and seeds, to confidently identify an Ash tree.
Identifying an Ash Tree: Quick Guide
Look for opposite branching, which is when the branches of a tree originate opposite each other from the main branch. Then check the leaves to see if they're compound leaves. These are leaf structures with 5-11 leaflets branching out from a single stem. If it has both these characteristics, it's likely an ash tree.
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Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Comparing Branches
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1 Pull down a branch from the tree so that you can view it more easily. You can also pick up a dead stick that has already fallen to the ground.
2 View whether the branches have opposite branching. This means that branches originate from the same point when they extend from the main branch. Other trees have alternate branching, with branches alternating left and right as they grow from the main branch.[1]XResearch source
Boxelder, Dogwood and Maple trees also have opposite branching.
Hickory, Butternut, Oak, Cottonwood and Quaking Aspen trees have alternate branching.
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3 Find the buds for new branches.[2]X Expert Source Michael Simpson, PhDRegistered Professional BiologistExpert Interview They should be directly across, or opposite, from each other. Occasionally, a bud with die and fall off, causing it to lose a mate.[3]XResearch source
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Comparing Leaves and Seeds
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1 Find a branch with leaves on it. An Ash tree has a compound leaf structure, rather than a single leaf structure.[4]X Expert Source Michael Simpson, PhDRegistered Professional BiologistExpert Interview Look for the thickened base of the stem, called a petiole, and decide whether there is a single leaf or 5 to 11 smaller leaflets that branch out from that point.
These 5 to 11 leaflets compose a single leaf.
A Maple tree is an example of a single leaf tree that has one large leaf extending from the petiole.
2 Combine the opposite branching and compound leaves to decide if the tree is an Ash. The only other tree that shares these two characteristics is a Boxelder tree. Yet, the Boxelder tree has three to five leaflets instead of five to 11.[5]XResearch source
3 Find light green or brown clusters of seeds.[6]X Expert Source Michael Simpson, PhDRegistered Professional BiologistExpert Interview They are paddle shaped and look like small delicate leaves. They hang down in large groupings from the tree.[7]XResearch source
Don’t assume a tree without seeds is not an ash tree. Some types of ash are seedless. Seed clusters only form in late fall and early winter.
Boxelder seeds are also clustered; however, they look like wings, rather than paddles.
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Question How do I identify an ash tree without leaves? Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Expert Answer Ash leaves don’t generally turn brown before they fall, so if you are looking too late in the year to see them on the tree, you may be able to recognise them on the ground. Before the new season’s leaves burst in the spring, you should look at the buds as they are starkly black in colour. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 16
Question Are mountain ash and ash trees the same thing? Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Expert Answer Not at all. Mountain ash isn't actually true ash. Despite being similar, mountain ash's leaves tend to be more rounded and more distinctly toothed. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
Question Does an ash tree have fruit? Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Expert Answer Yes! Ash fruits have wings similar to those found on seeds of maples. On ash fruits, however, the seeds occur singly on stalks rather than in pairs and the wings are narrower. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
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The Mountain Ash tree is not considered a type of Ash tree. It is part of the Sorbus species. It also has alternate branching, red seeds and nine to 15 leaflets. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings
Ash trees are endangered by emerald ash borers in some locations in the Midwest. Planting new ash trees is discouraged because of the prevalence of this insect. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 3
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Co-authored by: Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist This article was co-authored by Michael Simpson, PhD. Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. This article has been viewed 175,500 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 11Updated: December 3, 2025 Views: 175,500 Categories: Plant IdentificationArticle SummaryX
To identify an ash tree, the first thing you should look for is opposite branching. This means that pairs of branches extend off of the tree from the same point but on opposite sides. Ash trees always have opposite branching. Now look at the tree’s leaves. Ash trees have compound leaves, which are leaves that are made up of multiple leaflets instead of a single leaf. Ash trees usually have 5-9 leaflets per leaf. Only Ash trees and Boxelder trees have both opposite branching and compound leaves, but the leaves on Boxelder trees usually only have 3-5 leaflets, not 5-9. You can also examine the tree’s bark. Older ash trees usually have bark with a distinct diamond pattern, though young ash trees have smooth bark. For more advice, including how to identify an Ash tree by its seeds, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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William Payton
Sep 29, 2020
"Here in northeast PA, the emerald beetle did a job on most of the ash trees. It seems to have left the small young trees alone for some reason. It is suggested not to replant? This is the best article I've found for tree identity. Thank you, good."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Co-authors: 11Updated: December 3, 2025 Views: 175,500100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
William Payton
Sep 29, 2020
"Here in northeast PA, the emerald beetle did a job on most of the ash trees. It seems to have left the small young trees alone for some reason. It is suggested not to replant? This is the best article I've found for tree identity. Thank you, good."..." more
Renuka Taylor
Apr 30, 2020
"There is are a number of green spaces around the area and I am ignorant of the beautiful trees surrounding them. I am trying to educate myself and learn more. I love the shapes, variety, colour, the sheer height, strength and stamina of survival."..." more
Peter Hoffmann
Jun 24, 2021
"I learned from this article "how to identify ash trees". Thank you, from Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand."..." more
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May 3, 2018
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Jan 3, 2018
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Co-authored by: Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist This article was co-authored by Michael Simpson, PhD. Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. This article has been viewed 175,500 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 11 Updated: December 3, 2025 Views: 175,500 Categories: Plant Identification Article SummaryX
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1 Pull down a branch from the tree so that you can view it more easily. You can also pick up a dead stick that has already fallen to the ground. 
2 View whether the branches have opposite branching. This means that branches originate from the same point when they extend from the main branch. Other trees have alternate branching, with branches alternating left and right as they grow from the main branch.[1] 
3 Find the buds for new branches.[2] They should be directly across, or opposite, from each other. Occasionally, a bud with die and fall off, causing it to lose a mate.[3] Advertisement 
1 Find a branch with leaves on it. An Ash tree has a compound leaf structure, rather than a single leaf structure.[4] Look for the thickened base of the stem, called a petiole, and decide whether there is a single leaf or 5 to 11 smaller leaflets that branch out from that point. 
2 Combine the opposite branching and compound leaves to decide if the tree is an Ash. The only other tree that shares these two characteristics is a Boxelder tree. Yet, the Boxelder tree has three to five leaflets instead of five to 11.[5] 
3 Find light green or brown clusters of seeds.[6] They are paddle shaped and look like small delicate leaves. They hang down in large groupings from the tree.[7] 
Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. 
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