Pumpkin ash is a broadleaf, deciduous tree in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is native to eastern North America, including NC. The specific epithet is Latin for “deep” and likely refers to the fact that this tree can grow in deepwater swamps. Pumpkin ash does best in consistently moist to wet loam soil which can be clay or sandy in full sun or light shade. It will not tolerate dry soils. Pumpkin ash is a large tree needing a large space. It has an open crown and can reach heights of 125 feet, but typically it will mature at 60 to 80 feet. Its natural habitat includes consistently moist areas such as swamps, floodplains, river valleys, and other low areas. It is quite often found growing along with bald cypress. When growing in an area that remains wet during the growing season, the trunk may become swollen at the base, somewhat resembling a pumpkin, thus its common name. An alternative explanation for the common name is that it is a corruption of the Pamunkey River (Virginia), along which this species is abundant. The twigs are stout, fuzzy, and light gray-brown. The leaf scars are oval (not deeply notched). Its species are dioecious, that is, separate male and female trees. The female tree will bear fruit in late summer to early fall. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Due to its high susceptibility to emerald ash borer, this tree is no longer recommended. Trees will typically succumb within 3 to 5 years of infestation. It is also affected by lilac borer, and carpenter worms. Diseases include fungal leaf spot, powdery mildew, rust, and cankers. Its limbs are brittle and often damaged by high winds. See potential insect and disease problem factsheets to the left. More information on Fraxinus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
more than 60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in. | Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Open
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leathery leaves are dark green, 9 to 18 inches in length with 7 to 9 leaflets. Each is composed of 7 to 9 yellowish-green to green leaflets. The underside is pale and hairy. They have bronze-red to bronze purple fall color.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Green; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
Flower buds are brown and scruffy. Flowers in clusters in April and May. Pumpkin ash is primarily dioecious (separate male and female trees), with ornamentally insignificant greenish male and female flowers.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
On female trees, drooping clusters of one-winged, flattened samara, 2 to 3 inches long, 1/2 inch wide, wing extends nearly to base, wider than green or white ash.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Barks are light gray-brown and have interlacing ridges to nearly blocky.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Northern Central and Eastern North America.
Distribution
Eastern United States and Canada, New York to Missouri south to Florida and Louisiana.