Fraxinus excelsior Pendula - Ash

Fraxinus excelsior 'Pendula', or the weeping ash, is a medium-sized tree, with branches that cascade down to the ground. Although smaller than the species, it is recognized as such by its dark brown velvety leaf buds and its compound leaves with lanceolate leaflets, dark green turning yellow in autumn. Rapid-growing ,this tree develops a spreading umbrella habit, composed of a very vertical trunk supporting a weeping canopy that provides shade in summer. Very resistant to cold, easy to grow in any deep and moist soil, it will look great as a specimen tree or by the edge of a water feature.

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

The cultivar 'Pendula', obtained in the 19th century, has a weeping habit. It develops a vertical trunk, which becomes hidden over the years behind a curtain of cascading branches, reaching down to the ground. With time, the crown becomes more spreading and the bark covering the trunk turns grey, deeply fissured, and scaly. It has a rather fast growth, usually reaching between 10 and 15 m (32 ft 10 in and 49 ft 2 in) in height and 10 m (32 ft 10 in) 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) long.  Dark green in colour, these leaves turn yellow in autumn. The tree flowers appear in spring before the leaves, with yellow-cream panicles. After pollination, they give way to 2 to 4.5 cm (0.8 to 1.8 in) long samaras.

Perfectly hardy and with limited requirements, the common ash 'Pendula' tolerates and adapts to most light conditions and any ordinary soil, including limestone, although its growth will be greater in fertile, deep and moist soil. It tolerates pruning very well, even severe pruning, as it produces new shoots from the stump. Its elegant weeping foliage and habit give it true ornamental qualities. Perfect as a specimen tree in a large garden, where it will provide pleasant shade in summer.