ASH-FRAXINUS EXCELSIOR-COMMON ASH

The Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is a large fast growing native species, older solitary trees are usually rounded in shape with a short trunk and fissured bark. Those growing in woodland are generally very tall and straight with smoother grey bark. The jet black buds of the Common Ash distinguish it from other Ash trees (Link- Ash).

Ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) are quite greedy plants with wide spreading surface roots, they prefer a rich fertile soil but are tough plants tolerating most sites including exposed and coastal areas.

The dark green leaves are typically 12 inches (30cm) long and are composed of up to 13 leaflets. Ash is one of the last native trees to leaf up in the spring and the first to fall in the autumn, (often dull green without any autumn colouring if there is an early frost) making it a good tree for naturalising spring and autumn bulbs beneath.

The small purple flowers are wind pollinated and appear before the leaves in spring. The reproduction of the Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is slightly complicated, male and female flowers may occur on the same tree, all male or all female trees are common, a tree that is male one year can have female flowers the following year and vice versa. In any case the female flowers develop into pendant bunches of ‘Ash keys’
which turn from green to brown and are often visible in winter until taken by birds.

Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) produces versatile timber with many uses, it burns on open fires even when still green and ash trees are frequently coppiced. The wood is also used for walking sticks, snooker cues and lobster pots as well as furniture.

All of the Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) trees on this page are suitable for general planting, we also have larger Ash Standards (link-) for greater instant effect. If you have a rabbit problem we strongly recommend protecting newly planted Fraxinus excelsior with spiral tree guards (link-) as they are prone to damage.

All plants are covered by our guarantee and we will supply full cultural instructions with your order. We strongly recommend Rootgrow and Bonemeal to help establish newly planted trees, these may found on the left hand menu.

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