The name pumpkin ash comes from the fact that the base of the trunk becomes engorged and can look like a pumpkin, especially in wet soils. The other common names are swelled butt ash and red ash. This is a thick-bodied tree with a trunk covered in thick, gray, fissured bark. The leaves comprise clusters of seven to nine leaflets that turn bronze to purplish-red in fall. This tree likes moist soil, making it a traditional choice for large rain gardens. It is a very large tree that needs a lot of space. However, it is one of the ash species that has been most devastated by emerald ash borer, and experts now advise against planting it.
Native area: Eastern North America
USDA growing zones: 5 to 9
Height: 60 to 80 feet, sometimes over 100 feet
Sun exposure: Full sun