Common Name: Texas White Ash

General Information

Fraxinus albicans is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 12 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental and a street tree[].
The main threat to Fraxinus albicans is the potential spread of Emerald Ash Borer to which this species is susceptible. This pest was detected in 2016 less than 200 miles away from the main part of the raxinus albicans population. Given the devastation of closely related ash species in the Eastern US, it is possible that the population will decline by up to 30% in the next 100 years. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Southern N. America - Oklahoma, Texas, northern Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo Leon)

Habitat

Limestone canyon bluffs, rocky slopes in open woods and along lakes[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a deep loamy soil, even if it is on the heavy side[, ]. Most members of this genus are gross feeders and require a rich soil[]. Succeeds in exposed positions[] and in dry alkaline soils[, ]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[]. Young plants tolerate forest shade[].
A recently introduced invasive pest, the Emerald Ash Borer has rapidly spread across much of N. America and is devastating the genus Fraxinus. The borer infests and feeds on all the North American ash species it has so far encountered. The nature of the infestation (larval feeding in the phloem) effectively girdles trees as small as 25mm in diameter, which is many years before reproductive maturity, leading to death within five years of infestation. The borer therefore causes virtually 100% mortality of Ash populations. The Ash species are unable to persist for very long through vegetative reproduction, and seeds only remain viable in the soilfor at most 7 - 8 years, so regeneration after borer infestation is minimal or nonexistent. Furthermore, the borer persists in forests in low population densities after major ash population crashes, so the orphaned cohort of ash seedlings that remains is quickly infested as they reach a suitable size[].
This species is closely related to Fraxinus americana, and is possibly no more than a variety of that species[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required. Male trees usually flower heavily each year, but female trees only flower heavily every 2 - 3 years[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Fraxinus species in general are gross feeders with an extensive, fibrous root system, which makes transplanting easy, but means that other species will often not grow well if planted nearby, especially if they are shallow rooted[],

Other Uses

The wood is heavy, hard, strong. It is occasionally used for flooring[].
The wood is valued as a fuel[].

Propagation

The seed is best harvested green - as soon as it is fully developed but before it has fully dried on the tree - and can then be sown immediately in a cold frame[]. It usually germinates in the spring[]. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as possible in a cold frame[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions or a nursery bed in late spring or early summer of the following year.
If you have sufficient seed then it is possible to sow it directly into an outdoor seedbed, preferably in the autumn. Grow the seedlings on in the seedbed for 2 years before transplanting either to their permanent positions or to nursery beds.