Fraxinus americana
White ash
- Height × spread
- 40m × 15m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is an imposing tree. It is upright and rather slender in its youth but matures to make a broad headed tree, which, with age develops broad outstretched boughs. The leaves are large and pinnate with large rather elliptical individual leaflets. These are dark green above, but much paler, even a rather silvered white shade, on the lower surface. The foliage takes on yellow, dark red and purple tints in autumn, though the tree does tend to lose its leaves early in the season. The bark is grey to brown with furrows and ridges, making a diamond pattern on the surface of the bark. The wood is the classic component of the finest baseball bats! This tree thrives in a deep fertile loam with well drained but moist soil. It is likely to achieve a height of 40m (130ft), rather more if it lives for 300 years. It should have a spread of 15m (50ft) or so.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Red-yellow
- Stem colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 40m
- Spread
- 15m
- Height in 10 years
- 5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Prune to maintain young trees
While it is still possible to safely reach up and into the tree, remove dead or damaged foliage, and crossing or misplaced branches in early spring while the plant is still dormant.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.
Found in
More Fraxinus
Fraxinus
Ash
Fraxinus angustifolia
Narrow leaved ash
Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywood'
Raywood ash claret ash, Narrow leaved ash
Fraxinus angustifolia var. australis
Narrow leaved ash, Narrow leaved ash
Fraxinus excelsior
Common ash, European ash, Fine leaved ash
Fraxinus excelsior
Common ash, European ash, Fine-leaved ash
Fraxinus excelsior 'Crispa'
Curl-leaf common ash, European ash
Fraxinus excelsior 'Jaspidea'
Golden ash, Common ash, European ash, Fine leaved ash