Ash Collection
The ash (Fraxinus sp.) collection is located across 3-Mile Drive from the crabapple collection and adjacent to the hawthorns.  (The ‘old' ash collection is located to the left of the gatehouse).  There are 7 species and 26 cultivars and a total of 86 specimens in the collection.  Ash have a large number of cultivars (hybrid trees) and some have very good fall color and form.  Despite the eminent threat that the Emerald Ash Borer will likely be in Minnesota in a few years it is one of our good native shade trees and withstands city conditions.  Green ash (Fraxinus pensylvanica) varieties are more hardy in all situations but white ash (Fraxinus americana) are cleaner trees with maroonish red fall color.