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Fraxinus quadrangulata

Blue Ash · Four-angled Ash

Family OleaceaeGenus Fraxinus

A broad spreading tree with a thick deeply furrowed trunk, standing in rough grass at evening
The whole plantMason Brock (Masebrock)Public domain

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
treePlants of the World Online
Height
50-70 ft15-21 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
50-70 ft15-21 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Purple/LavenderExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
4-7Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sunExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

  • Quadrangulata means four-angled: its twigs have four corky ridges that make them look square. The name blue ash comes from a dye extracted from its inner bark by soaking it in water. Wikipedia: Fraxinus quadrangulata
  • Of the North American ashes, it appears least threatened by the emerald ash borer. Wikipedia: Fraxinus quadrangulata

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 31, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 31, 2023.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 540 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  8. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

  9. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  10. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

  11. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

    3/6 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 10 run on after germination.

about 3.5 years from start to step 10. Germination happens during step 10, in 84 days.

50% germination in 84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Fraxinus p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Fraxinus (Oleaceae). Data on the three following species is now nearly complete. F. quadrangulata DS 18 m germ. 70D-40-70D-40-70D-40(23% in 4-12-w)- 70D(23% in 2 d-7 w)-40(17% in 12th w)-70D(47% in 1-3 d) and 40-70D-40-70D-40- 70D-40-70D-40(3/6 in 12th w)-70D(3/6 in 3rd d). Light had no significant effect and GA-3 led to total rotting. Seeds DS 4 y were dead. It would have been of interest to study fresh seeds..
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Fraxinus p. 34. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around October 20, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 20, 2023.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 540 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

    23 germinated in this phase.

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

    23 germinated in this phase.

  9. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

    17 germinated in this phase.

  10. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 3.5 years from start to step 10. Germination happens during step 10, in 3 days.

47% germination in 1–3 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Fraxinus p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Fraxinus (Oleaceae). Data on the three following species is now nearly complete. F. quadrangulata DS 18 m germ. 70D-40-70D-40-70D-40(23% in 4-12-w)- 70D(23% in 2 d-7 w)-40(17% in 12th w)-70D(47% in 1-3 d) and 40-70D-40-70D-40- 70D-40-70D-40(3/6 in 12th w)-70D(3/6 in 3rd d). Light had no significant effect and GA-3 led to total rotting. Seeds DS 4 y were dead. It would have been of interest to study fresh seeds..
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Fraxinus p. 34. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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