Black ash baskets are made from the growth rings of the black ash, or Fraxicus nigra, tree. Black ash trees grow in swamps and wetlands and grow very tall without any branching which makes them suitable for basket making. To harvest, the bark on the tree must be growing straight and the growth rings are checked for size. Once a suitable basket tree is identified,  thanks is given to the tree for sharing itself with everyone to make baskets. The tree is harvested by cutting it down and into 6-8 ft logs and carried out of the swamp by balancing it on one's shoulders. The log is debarked from end to end and pounded on with the backside of an old ax, very hard like chopping wood. This pounding separates the fibers in between the growth rings and releases them from the log.

After a stack of 5-8 growth rings is pounded off, each growth ring will be scored and split in half from end to end. The inside of the growth ring is smooth and the outside is rough. The rough side goes on the inside of the basket, and the smooth inside of the growth ring will show on the outside of the basket. Baskets are woven in a plaited method, one row at a time. Black ash is a very flexible material and embellishments such as loops and points and curls can be added for beauty and for added strength to the basket.

In 2002 the Emerald Ash borer was discovered in Canton, Michigan by researchers at Michigan State University. They saw ashiny metallic green insect with a copper belly and approximately a ½” in length and named it the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). EAB begins as a larvae and tunnels galleries under the bark of the tree devouring the tree’s nutrients to sustain itself and grow. It will shrink from approximately and inch long larvae to a beetle 1’2” in length. The beetle, which is called EAB, will bore its way out from under the bark, leaving a “D “hole shape in the bark. Because the EAB can destroy an entire ash stand in 3-5 years, and a black ash tree only produces seeds every 5-7 years, seed collection is critical to be able to replant ash seeds for future generations to enjoy.

When a tree is affected by EAB it will lose its leaf cover, and it will begin to grow shoots out of the sides of the trunk in an attempt to survive. The bark will begin to split and fall off. But, the bark of the tree is a very important part of identifying the tree. Each spring for only 4-6 weeks, Kelly and her family or other harvesters are able to peel the bark off a log in one piece when the sap is running behind the bark. They can cut and shape black ash bark baskets, which will cure and harden. These baskets have become very important teaching tools for future generations due to the loss of the black ash tree and the inability to make black ash bark baskets due to the destruction from EAB. These will aid future generations in identifying and harvesting a tree, once the seeds collected today are replanted and grow into basket size trees, which will take 25-40 years.

Because of the EAB, Kelly realized it was her personal mission to bring people together in workshops to learn how to harvest the black ash trees, weave baskets and collect seeds as this would not only teach them about patience, commitment, beauty, and pride in the Native tradition and culture, but also raise awareness about the black ash tree’s possible fate. To date she has taught over 1300 people from 18 different tribes, and in universities across the country.  She has also passed her knowledge on to her daughter, Cherish Parrish, who is now a renowned weaver and artist in her own right.

From the American Indian magazine site:

"In this black ash strawberry basket by artist Kelly Church (Odawa/Pottawatomi), the black ash and sweetgrass blossoms and miniature strawberries hanging from the blossom vines represent the future generations. The doll on top is the 'grandmother,' who watches over those to come. Tribes throughout the Great Lakes and Northeast give strawberry baskets in ceremonies to honor life events, such as births, and during the time of 'our strawberry moon,' says Church. She is among the artists speaking at the Thoughts of Our People from 'Hearts of Our People' symposium at NMAI on March 28.
​

Basket on magazine cover: “Grandmother Strawberry,” Kelly Church, 2016; 17" x 14"; black ash, Rit dye, sweetgrass, velvet, buckskin, seed beads, thread, artificial hair, wire and cotton stuffing.