Fraxinus excelsior - Ash

Fraxinus excelsior, or common ash, is a large tree. It is distinguished by its velvety black floral buds and its lanceolate leaves, dark green, turning yellow in autumn. Fastgrowing, this tree develops an elegant habit, composed of a very vertical trunk supporting a light and elongated crown, providing much appreciated shade in summer. Very cold-resistant, easy to grow in any soil, it will look great as a standalone tree in a large garden or near water.

Fraxinus excelsior, commonly known as the common ash or European ash, is a tree in the olive family, like lilac.  It is native to Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia, where it is common along riverbanks and shores, as well as in forests.

This ash tree has an upright habit. It develops a clear vertical trunk, topped with a rounded to elongated crown that is rather closed when the tree is young, opening up with age. At maturity, this canopy is airy and light in appearance.  The bark covering the trunk becomes grey, deeply fissured, and scaly. It is fast growing, typically reaching between 30 and 40 meters (98 feet 5 inches and 131 feet 2 inches) in height and 20 meters (65 feet 7 inches) in spread at maturity. The deciduous delicate foliage, consists of compound leaves with 9 to 13 very narrow and lanceolate leaflets, measuring 5 to 12 cm (2 to 4.7 in) in length. Dark green in colour, they turn yellow in autumn. Flowering occurs in spring, before the appearance of foliage, in the form of yellow-cream panicles. After pollination, they give way to samaras measuring 2 to 4.5 cm (0.8 to 1.8 in) in length.

Perfectly hardy and with limited requirements, the common ash can tolerate any non-burning exposure and adapts to any ordinary soil, including limestone, although its growth will be greater in fertile, deep, and moist soil. It tolerates pruning very well, including severe pruning, as it produces new shoots from the stump. If the conditions are suitable, it tends to self-seed very easily. Its foliage and elegant habit give it ornamental qualities. It will find its place as a standalone tree in a large garden, where it will provide pleasant shade in summer.