Fraxinus excelsior

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Plant
ID 2 Fraxinus excelsior
Botanic Name Fraxinus excelsior
Common Name European Ash, Golden European Ash
Family Name Oleaceae
Cultivars 'Aurea', 'Jaspidea'
Origin Europe, Asia, Zone 4-10
Growth Type Tree
Bark Type Fissured or Wrinkled
Foliage Type Deciduous Water Use Medium
No. of Species 65
Growth Habit Medium dome Growth Rate Slow
Height 20 - 45 m (67 - 150 ft) Spread 10 m (33 ft)
Plant Overview
This large deciduous tree has a fissured trunk with spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has conspicuous black buds in winter and the divided dark green leaves turn yellow during autumn. The tiny male and female flowers appear in early spring.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Pinnate
The dark green pinnate leaves are up to 350 mm (14 in) long and have 7 to 11 ovate-lanceolate sessile, glabrous leaflets that are up to 90 mm (3 1/2 in) long. There apex is acuminate and the margins are crenate and in autumn the leaves turn yellow.
Arrangement Opposite
Margin Crenate
Colour Dark green
Size 180 - 350 mm ( 7.1 - 13.8 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Apetalous
The dark purple apetalous female flowers are longer than the green to creamy-white male flowers. They can be found on the same tree but more commonly appear on different trees during early spring before the leaves.
Inflorescence Cluster or Fascicle
Colour White - greenish
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Samara Additional Information
Colour Green - brown
The seed is a very viable single samara that is twisted and hangs in the tree during winter. Fresh seed germinates straight away but if the fruit is allowed to brown off it takes 2 seasons to germinate. The seeds are dispersed by wind and gravity.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 30 - 40 mm ( 1.2 - 1.6 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained fertile moist clay to limestone based loam, organic rich pH 5.5-8.0
Container Not normally, may be used as a bonsai specimen
Climate Cold - cool temperate
Aspect Full sun in an open position, frost tolerant, protection from wind
Pest & Diseases Rust, leaf spot, canker, borer, leaf miner, sawfly, scale insect, dieback
Fertiliser Mulch and fertilise when young, keep moist during the growing period
Pruning Train to a single leader when young, tolerates pruning if required
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Golden European Ash is grown for its spreading crown and its autumn colour. It is used in street or avenue plantings or in parks and gardens as a lawn specimen for shade. It is suitable for coastal and mountainous regions.
Stratify seeds for 2 to 3 months during winter in peat and sow seeds in pots then place them in a cold frame. Fraxinus excelsior 'Aurea' are grafted on to Fraxinus oxycarpa rootstocks.
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