Learn all the interesting facts about the ash tree using this profile. They were definitely not aware of one or two characteristics. Or would you have thought that the ash tree is the only deciduous tree that loses its leaves when they are green? After reading this profile, you will find it easy to distinguish an ash tree from other trees.
What are the characteristics and properties of the ash tree?
The ash tree (Fraxinus) is a deciduous deciduous tree that can be up to 250 years old and reach 40 meters high. Typical features are odd-pinnate leaves, green flowers in panicles and winged nuts. It occurs throughout Central Europe and prefers moist, nutrient-rich soils.
General
- German name: ash tree
- Latin name: Fraxinus
- Age: up to 250 years
- Family: Olive family
- deciduous deciduous tree (only deciduous tree that sheds its leaves when green)
Occurrences
- Number of species: approx. 70, three of which are in Germany: common ash, flower ash, whorl ash
- Distribution: throughout Central Europe, excluding the Mediterranean region and the far north of Scandinavia
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
- Use: on the banks of water, in green spaces, in groups or standing alone
- Reproduction via the wind
Soil requirements
- both dry and moist soils are tolerated
- However, moist soil is better
- high nutrient requirements
- calcareous
- loamy
- pH value: slightly acidic to alkaline
Habitus
maximum growth height: up to 40 m (one of the largest deciduous trees in Europe)
Bloom
- Color: green
- Flowering period: April to May
- egg-shaped buds
- Size of buds: 5 mm
- Color of buds: black
- Maleable at 20 to 30 years old, significantly later in the population (approx. 40-45 years)
- blooms before the leaves emerge
- Shape of flower: panicle-shaped
- monoecious, hermaphroditic
Fruits
- winged nuts
- stay on the tree even in winter
- about 2 to 3 cm long
- about 4 to 6 cm wide
- also called rotary screw plane
- Ripening period: August to October
leaves
- mismatched
- sawn leaf edge
- Autumn color: yellow
- Color of the top of the leaves: dark green
- Color of the underside of the leaf: light green
- Length: about 30 cm
- form only after flowering in late spring
- stay at the tree for a long time
- bald, only red-brown hair on the veins
Bark and wood
- smooth at a young age
- longitudinally and transversely cracked with age
- Color: gray
- hard
- high density
- elastic
- dark core, light sapwood
- not weatherproof
- Use: for sports equipment (€39.00 on Amazon), oars and paddles, parquet, tool handles
Root
- strengthens the surrounding earth
- Taproot
- Deep-rooted with shallow lateral roots
