Common ashis a decorative and extremely easy to grow tree with an openwork crown. Thanks to itsadvantages, theash tree was used in large and small gardens, as well as in urban green areas. Learn about the interestingcommon ash varietiesrecommended for planting in gardens and the cultivation requirements of this tree. We also suggest proven ways toreproduce the common ash
Common ash - Fraxinus excelsior
Fig. pixabay.com
Common ash - description of the appearance
Common ash(Fraxinus excelsior) is a tree from the olive family (Oleaceae). It is a tree that grows up to 40 m tall, with a light gray bark covered with a network of cracks. Black, large flower and leaf buds are characteristic of the ash treeThe ash leaves reach a length of 35 cm and are arranged opposite. They are odd-pinned, composed of 9-13 leaflets. The leaves have a serrated edge, they are dull and dark green on the top and lighter on the bottom.
The fruit of the ash tree is a brown samaras.Common ash usually blooms from mid-April to late MayFlowering begins before the leaves appear. The root system of the tree is shallow and wide, therefore it dries and sterilizes the soil within a dozen or so meters.
Common ash - application
The wide use of ash treesboth in urban areas and in gardens is due to the multitude of varieties and the ease of cultivation.The size and decorative appearance of ash make it suitable for use as a solitaire planted in the center of the garden. It can also be used as an element separating a plot or designating park alleys. Its openwork branches and regular crown look good at any time of the year.
Common ash - leaves
Fig. pixabay.com
Common ash - flowers
Fig. AnRo0002, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Common ash - varieties
The abundance of ash varieties, including grafted dwarf varieties, means that even owners of small gardens can find something for themselves.
Ash 'Nana', son. 'Globosa'- is a dwarf variety with a spherical crown 1.5-2 m in diameter. Delicate shoots create a regular and compact structure. The small leaves grow up to 12 cm in length and consist of 7-12 elliptical leaves, dark green in color.This variety does not bloom. It is resistant to polluted air, making it perfect for both gardens and urban areas.
Ash 'Aarsee'- this extraordinary variety of ash attracts the eye with its openwork structure. Thin shoots are overgrown with strongly reduced leaves. Thanks to this, the crown, although dense, allows a lot of light to pass through. The tree grows up to 10 m in height, and the crown reaches 4-7 m in diameter.
Pendula ash
Fig. AnRo0002, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Pendula ash 'Pendula'- grows up to 10 m high and 8 m wide. The umbrella-shaped crown is composed of long, gently hanging shoots. It can grow in both sun and partial shade, in a humid position.
Ash 'Heterophylla Pendula'- this is one of the most decorative dwarf varieties. The broad, umbrella-like crown is composed of long shoots that reach the ground.The atypical leaves are single, oval and serrated at the edges. They remain dark green throughout the season. It is a beautiful variety that works great as a solitaire. Requires fertile soil, moist and sunny position.
Ash 'Jaspidea'- this is a fast-growing and magnificent variety - the tree grows up to 15 m in height. The large crown has a loose, conical shape. Young shoots are yellow-orange in color. Large, dark green leaves turn bright yellow in summer. This variety requires a fertile but not too humid soil and a sunny to partial shade position.
Ash 'Crispa'- grows slowly to reach 3-4 m in height after 10 years. The irregular crown is composed of thin, vertically growing shoots. The branches are covered with leaves only in the top part of new growths. Crimped, curled, glossy leaves form a dense tangle. A sunny, fertile and humid site is essential for the cultivation of this amazing variety.
Ash 'Allgold'- it is distinguished by a golden color of the shoots. Also the leaves, green in spring, turn yellow in autumn. This variety is tall, the tree grows up to 16 m and its crown has a regular spherical shape.
Pendula ash
Fig. AnRo0002, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Common ash - cultivation
The stand for common ash cultivationshould be well insolated and the soil fertile. Common ash grows very poorly in sandy and humus-poor soils. It also hates the salinity of soils. It feels best on sandy loam soil with an alkaline pH (soil pH 7.0 or higher is recommended).
Althoughash likes a moist soil , it should be planted in a small hill with a low level of groundwater. The excess of stagnant water adversely affects shallowly spaced roots.Common ash is resistant to polluted air. It is also highly frost resistant (included in the plant frost resistance zone 4), as it can withstand temperatures down to -40 ° C.
European ash 'Golden Desert'
Fig. Daderot, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Fertile, humus soil is necessary forash to retain its beautiful appearanceand resistance to diseases and pests of ash. We fertilize the trees in early spring and late autumn. In April, we use a universal mineral fertilizer, and in October, we use mineral autumn fertilizers or compost.
Common ash - reproduction
Ash propagation by sowing seeds- seeds are collected before drying on the tree from specimens that are 20-30 years old. They are sown in a cold greenhouse immediately after harvesting. As a rule, they germinate in the spring. The seedlings are transplanted into individual pots. When they reach an appropriate height of 5-10 cm, we plant them permanently in late spring or autumn.
Common ash - fruit with seeds
Fig. Daderot, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Ash propagation by herbaceous cuttings- an alternative to sowing is ash propagation by herbaceous cuttings. For this, in May, shoot cuttings 20-30 cm long are prepared. Remove the lower leaves from them and place them shallowly in the substrate, maintaining the air temperature of 20-25 ° C. In the spring of the following year, young plants can be planted permanently.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
