Jodie Ellis, Purdue University Ash trees grow along the Pigeon River in Steuben County.

Ash is an important part of the ecology of both rural and urban northeastern forests. Its loss will negatively affect the well-being of both terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals.

Green ash, which commonly grows along bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and streams, and in floodplains, serves as habitat for several species of wildlife, particularly birds, and, in Indiana, endangered species of bats and snakes. White ash prefers upland slopes and ravines, and black ash favors areas near rivers and streams, and along bogs. Ash trees in these areas produce shade that cools the water, improving the habitat for fish and insects.

Back to At Risk: All North American Ash Trees