A medium-sized, intolerant to medium tolerant tree that is the most common on bottomlands but will survive on dry sites and is found throughout the eastern U.S. and great plains (most widely distributed Fraxinus). It is of poorer form than F. americana and a common ornamental. Leaves are similar to F. americana, but leaflets are often narrower and are always with some serrations, are more or less petioled, and generally not purple in fall . Twigs are similar to F.americana, but more or less bubescent, with the leaf scar shalloly notched to truncate. The first pair of laterals are at about the same level as the terminal. Fruit is similar to F. americana but generally narrower with the wing often pointed at the apex and enclosing 1/2 of the seed cavity. Bark is scaly onn young trees, becoming similar to F. americana.