El ash tree It is a tree of great ornamental value, with a fast growth and that also provides a pleasant shade during the spring and summer months. Having a specimen in the garden is undoubtedly a very interesting option, because with a minimum care you can enjoy its beauty.
And it is that, in general, withstands moderate to intense frostsSo if the temperature drops below zero degrees in your area, you will not have to worry, as it will not suffer any damage.
Origin and characteristics of ash
Fresno is a term used to refer to a group of trees of the genus Fraxinus, which is made up of about 65 species, most of them deciduous, originating from temperate and some subtropical regions of the world. They usually reach a maximum height of 20 meters, with a straight and cylindrical trunk. The leaves are pinnately compound, rarely simple, green in color..
They are dioecious; that is, there are female feet and male feet. The flowers are grouped in yellowish or whitish inflorescences. The fruit is a samara, that is, a dry fruit composed of a flattened wing of fibrous tissue from the wall of the flower's ovary. Its function is to promote the dispersal of the seed by the wind.
Main species
Fraxinus Americana
Known as American white ash, Carolina ash, American ash, or white ash, it is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America that grows to a height of 35 meters. Its leaves are green, but turn yellowish, red, or purple in autumn before falling. It has a life expectancy of 100 years.
The roots have tonic, sudorific, diuretic, purgative, astringent and emmenagogue properties.
Fraxinus angustifolia
Image - Wikimedia / Arielinson
Known as narrow-leaved ash, narrow-leaved ash, or southern ash, it is a deciduous tree native to the temperate regions of southern Europe and North Africa. In Spain we find it in practically the entire Iberian Peninsula, often mixed with poplars, willows and poplars.
It grows up to 20 meters in height, and its leaves are green, with the upper surface glabrous and the underside pubescent, except in autumn when they turn orange or reddish.
fraxinus excelsior
Image - Wikimedia / Sauce
Known as northern ash, common ash, or broadleaf ash, it is a species native to Europe. In Spain we have it in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. It grows up to 45 meters in height, and its leaves are green.
It is used both as an ornamental in large gardens, as in traditional medicine, since its leaflets and bark have anti-inflammatory, laxative and diuretic properties.
Fraxinus ornus
Known as flowering ash, orno, manna ash or flowering ash, it is a deciduous tree native to southern Europe and southwestern Asia that reaches a height of between 15 and 30 meters. The leaves are green, turning yellow in autumn before falling.
The sweet gum that this species exudes, called manna, has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, venotonic and laxative properties.
How is the ash tree cared for?
If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
Location
It is a tree that must be abroad, in full sun or partial shade. The roots are invasive, so it should not be planted less than ten meters away from pipes, walls, etc.
Earth
Not demanding. It adapts to almost all types of floors. The only thing you should keep in mind is that if you are going to have it in a pot for a while, fill it with substrates such as the universal one for plants (for sale here) with 20% perlite (for sale here).
Irrigation
Moderate to frequent. It should not be treated like an aquatic plant, but if it is in the ground you can water very often. On the other hand, if you have it in a pot, water it 3 or 4 times a week during the hottest and dry season, and every 4-5 days the rest of the year.
Subscriber
From early spring to late summer with organic fertilizers, such as eggshells, guano, compost, green manure, etc.
Pruning
At the end of autumn the dry, diseased and weak branches have to be cut. It can also be used to trim those that are getting too long, but it is not recommended since the ash tree is a plant that only acquires its shape as the years go by.
Multiplication
Multiply by seeds, which have to be sown in winter in order to cool down before germinating. In the case of living in an area with a warm-temperate climate (such as the Mediterranean), you must stratify them in the fridge for three months and then plant them in pots in spring. This way you will obtain a higher percentage of success.
Rusticity
The vast majority of Fraxinus species withstand frosts of up to -18ºC, but they do not do well in extremely hot climates.
What uses is it given?
Ornamental
It is a beautiful tree that is easy to care for and provides interesting shade. In spacious gardens it looks great, as an isolated specimen or in groups. What's more, it can be worked as bonsai.
Medicinal
Some, like Fraxinus ornus or Fraxinus AmericanaThey have medicinal properties as we have seen. The roots and leaves are used mainly, in infusion.
Wood
Ash wood, especially that of the European variety (Fraxinus ornus), it is very resistant, so much so that it is used a lot to make kitchen furniture, cabinets, etc.
What did you think of the ash tree?