Common Ash Tree (Fraxinus Excelsior)
Its scientific name is Fraxinus excelsior and is known for its good luck through ancient beliefs. It has a large size and quite dense foliage. It is perfect for shade in a wide range and, in addition, it is beautiful when the time of autumn arrives and its leaves are dyed a yellow color. In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about ash.
Do you want to learn more about this beautiful tree? You just have to keep reading ????
Main characteristics
As we have mentioned before, the ash tree is a deciduous tree and belongs to the Oleaceae family. This lucky tree was used by the ancient Romans for the construction of wire fences and walls for their density and quality of the wood. It comes from Europe and its distribution area where you can see more abundance is in Spain and Portugal. Although in smaller proportion, it can also be found in some countries that have tropical climate and in some areas of North America.
One of its characteristics that makes it special is that it has a great capacity when it comes to adapting to temperate environments. Its strong branches and density in the foliage allow it to have an enormous resistance to the wind. However, its weaknesses are that it can not withstand extreme temperatures, both cold and hot, nor can it withstand drought.
It has a round shaped cup with about seven meters in diameter and quite dense and extended branches. It is a perfect tree to sit under its shelter and enjoy the sound made by the leaves with the wind while protecting you from the sun. It has a size that oscillates between 8 and 12 meters, in general, although some specimens have been found that can reach up to 20 meters. These specimens of 20 meters plus the density of the foliage make it really good big trees.
Its leaves have a bright green color. The branches are quite thin and have leaves that have between 9 and 13 leaflets. These leaves turn yellow in autumn and fall in winter.
As for the trunk, it is quite hard and strong. It has a cylinder shape with a dark colored bark.
Cultivation of common ash
Through the trunk we find that some branches emerge with white flowers quite simple but with great ornamental beauty. It flowers in April and May when temperatures are higher. They release elongated fruits called samarasand inside there are seeds that are quite easy to collect. The samaras are green.
To plant the ash you have to have some clear aspects. It is not very difficult to grow and maintain given that it has a great resistance to contaminated places and pests, so it is perfect to plant in the cities as an extra addition to the ornamentation.
In nature it grows in forests with quite deep, moist, fresh and rich in organic matter. These are the environmental conditions you need to survive. Therefore, as we mentioned before, it is not very resistant to droughts and the scarcity of environmental humidity.
We must bear in mind that, when we spread the seeds in the autumn season, they need land with 4 degrees of temperature so that they can germinate in about four months. If the soil temperatures are lower, the seed will remain dormant and will not germinate.
Once we have the grown Fraxinus excelsior , its care is only about having a good space where it can grow, a generous watering, having it in full sunlight and fertilizing it at least during the spring. If we want its growth to be optimal, we must perform a pruning at least once a year.
Uses of Fraxinus excelsior
Although this tree has great firmness, one of the indicators that indicate that its care and maintenance are not correct is the wilt and death of the leaves. Once these begin to weaken, it can also affect the rest of the tree crown, trunk bark and branches. On the contrary, if we manage to keep it always in good condition, it is capable of living between 80 and 100 years.
This tree is used primarily for ornamental purposes in both rural and urban areas. In general, it is planted in sidewalks, in extensive gardens since it is quite attractive and needs little care and on public roads.
Its wood is used for joinery and carpentry. Wood is also used for the manufacture of numerous indoor platforms and thanks to the flexibility it has and its resistance is perfect for the development of some tool handles or even stools and furniture that have many curves .
Another area where his wood is usually used is in sports and music. It is perfect for baseball bats, bows, hockey sticks and tennis rackets. It is also used to make guitars.
Other properties
To make matters more interesting, all the uses it has and the great beauty it has in certain areas of the year, also has medicinal properties. It is perfect for the treatment of some diseases such as the common cold, the flu and to reduce fever. There are other uses more complex but that equally serves and is to relieve the symptoms of constipation, hemorrhoids and hypertension.
The infusion prepared with the leaves of Fraxinus excelsior is key to eliminate this fluid retention and some urinary problems. It is beneficial for those who suffer from kidney stones.
Depending on the treatment we need, the ash can be consumed in different ways. Either using their leaves to make infusions or use the bark to make remedies that are sold in herbalists and pharmacies.
I hope that with this information you can know more about the common ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior).
I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide. I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.
