Fraxinus
The oldest fossils that are clearly Fraxinus date to the Middle Eocene, spanning 49 million years ago to 39 million years ago. These ancient remains appear in southeast North America and include the extinct species F. wilcoxiana. Pollen from F. angustifolia surfaces later in the Upper Miocene of Europe, roughly 12 million years ago. Winged fruits known as F. oishii turn up in the Middle Miocene of Korea. Carl Linnaeus formally described the genus Fraxinus in 1753. His name remains accepted by taxonomists today despite centuries of debate. Multiple authors have described other tree genera that are synonymous with Fraxinus over time. Georg Rudolf Boehmer named Ornus in 1760 while Friedrich Kasimir Medikus created Fraxinoides in 1791. Constantine Samuel Rafinesque introduced Mannaphorus in 1818 and listed several others like Leptalix and Apilia in 1838. Ludwig Reichenbach added Meliopsis in 1841 and Julius Nieuwland contributed Petlomelia in 1914.
The genus Fraxinus spreads throughout much of Europe, Asia, and North America. Twenty-two species occur in China alone while Italy hosts four distinct varieties. Native and introduced Fraxinus species exist in almost every contiguous state of the United States. They also populate all southern provinces of Canada. Ash species provide habitat and food for larvae of many insects including long-horn beetles and plant bugs. Caterpillars and aphids feed on these trees alongside lace bugs. Birds and mammals rely on ash populations for survival across temperate or subtropical zones. The leaves usually appear opposite to each other though they rarely form whorls. Most seeds known as keys are botanically single-winged fruits called samara. Some species remain dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants entirely. Male flowers contain two stamens while calyxes show four lobes if present at all.
The emerald ash borer arrived in North America from eastern Asia via solid wood packing material between the late 1980s and early 1990s. This wood-boring beetle has killed tens of millions of trees across 22 states in the United States. It threatens some seven billion ash trees in North America today. Damage occurs when emerald ash borer larvae feed on the inner bark phloem of ash trees. This feeding prevents nutrient and water transportation through the tree system. Three native Asian wasp species have been evaluated as possible biological controls against the pest. Public officials cautioned people to avoid transporting unfinished wood products like firewood to slow the spread. Neighboring Ontario and Quebec in Canada also suffer heavy losses from this invasion. The combination of emerald ash borer and ash dieback threatens ash populations globally.
European ash Fraxinus excelsior faces a severe threat from the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus since the mid-1990s. This pathogen causes chalara ash dieback in a large number of trees particularly in eastern and northern Europe. About 90% of Denmark's ash trees became infected by this disease. Ash dieback appeared in mature woodland within the UK during 2012 according to BBC News reports. Trees in mixed landscapes appear to have some resistance to the disease despite widespread infection rates. The public received warnings about the dangers of moving plant material across borders. Scientists continue studying how environmental factors influence the speed of fungal spread. The combination of emerald ash borer and ash dieback has threatened ash populations in Europe significantly.
Ash is a hardwood with density around 670 kg/m3 for Fraxinus americana known as white ash. European ash Fraxinus excelsior reaches approximately 710 kg/m3 in density measurements. The wood remains strong and elastic making it suitable for tool handles throughout history. Fender musical instrument company used ash as tonewood for electric guitars starting in 1950. Swamp ash species provide lightweight options for guitar building while maintaining resonance qualities. Ash serves well for drum shells offering balanced tone for both high and low notes. Morgan Motor Company of Great Britain still manufactures sports cars with frames made from ash. Furniture makers use ash for household objects such as bowls candlesticks and spoons. Agricultural tools benefit from the durability of this dense timber source.
In Greek mythology the Meliae are nymphs associated with the ash tree specifically manna ash Fraxinus ornus. Their name means ash trees according to Hesiod's Theogony which states they were born when drops of Ouranos's blood fell on earth. Norse mythology features Yggdrasil described as vast evergreen ash tree serving as axis mundi sustaining nine worlds. Askr represents the first man in Norse myth literally meaning ash. Slavic folklore suggests an ash stake could be used to kill a vampire entity. The letter A in Old English Latin alphabet represented the ash tree rune from Anglo-Saxon futhorc. Welsh folk song Llwyn Onn sings about the ash grove gazing through its branches. Young seedpods known as keys remain edible and traditionally pickled with vinegar sugar and spices in Britain.
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Common questions
When did the oldest Fraxinus fossils date to?
The oldest clearly identified Fraxinus fossils date to the Middle Eocene, spanning 49 million years ago to 39 million years ago. These ancient remains appear in southeast North America and include the extinct species F. wilcoxiana.
Who formally described the genus Fraxinus in 1753?
Carl Linnaeus formally described the genus Fraxinus in 1753. His name remains accepted by taxonomists today despite centuries of debate regarding synonymous genera like Ornus or Fraxinoides.
How many states have been affected by the emerald ash borer invasion?
This wood-boring beetle has killed tens of millions of trees across 22 states in the United States. It threatens some seven billion ash trees in North America today after arriving from eastern Asia between the late 1980s and early 1990s.
What percentage of Denmark's ash trees became infected with ash dieback?
About 90% of Denmark's ash trees became infected by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus since the mid-1990s. This pathogen causes chalara ash dieback in a large number of trees particularly in eastern and northern Europe.
Which company used ash as tonewood for electric guitars starting in 1950?
Fender musical instrument company used ash as tonewood for electric guitars starting in 1950. Swamp ash species provide lightweight options for guitar building while maintaining resonance qualities alongside standard white ash varieties.