About
Panicles of sweetly-scented creamy petalless flowers in mid-spring are followed by brownish-green winged fruits. Fast-growing, deciduous tree about 20m tall, with shoots, leaf stalks and flower stalks conspicuously downy. Dark green leaves to 45cm long, composed of up to 7 leaflets are downy beneath, and often turn wine-purple in autumn. Winter buds are a conspicuous grey.
About the genus
Fraxinus are medium-sized to large, mostly deciduous trees with attractive pinnate leaves, sometimes conspicuous flowers and autumn colour, and distinctive winged fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationExcellent for woodland and coastal gardens where there is moist but well-drained alkaline or neutral soil and full sun. See tree cultivation
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed or grafting
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceAsh dieback has recently been found in the UK. Restrictions have been put in place (from 29 October 2012) regarding both the importation of ash from abroad and the movement of ash within the UK. May also be susceptible to honey fungus