Fraxinus excelsior
Common ash, European ash, Fine leaved ash
- Height × spread
- 24m × 10m
- 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
The common ash is, perhaps, at its best in winter. It has distinctive, smooth, grey bark and smart black buds that look as though they have been sculpted. It isn't a particularly exciting tree to look at in summer as it's very late to leaf, although a mature tree is a fine spectacle. The dark-green pinnate leaves often turn to yellow in autumn and it is the first native tree to drop its leaves. Ash wood has been used to make a variety of tools, such as the traditional shepherds' crook. It has also been used for the wing spars of aircraft in the early days and even during the Second World War the wood was used in the construction of the Mosquito aircraft.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow
- Stem colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 24m
- Spread
- 10m
- Height in 10 years
- 10m
- Spread in 10 years
- 4m
- Season of interest
- Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural, Bee attraction, Bird 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
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.
Found in
More Fraxinus
Fraxinus
Ash
Fraxinus americana
White 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 'Crispa'
Curl-leaf common ash, European ash
Fraxinus excelsior 'Jaspidea'
Golden ash, Common ash, European ash, Fine leaved ash