The ash tree, which grows up to 40 meters high, provides pleasant shade in summer with its wide crown. But it's not the branches but the green foliage that protects from the sun. The ash tree also contributes to your he alth. Find out more about the leaves of the deciduous tree on this page and learn to distinguish an ash tree from other deciduous trees based on their optical characteristics.
What do ash leaves look like?
Ash leaves are imparipinnate with 7-11 egg-shaped individual leaves on a petiole. They have a serrated leaf edge and a dark green, smooth upper side and a light green underside with red hairs on the veins. Ash leaves grow to a length of 30-40 cm and taper to a point.
Optical features
- mismatched
- 7-11 individual leaves on each petiole
- ovoid leaves
- sawn leaf edge
- Top of leaf dark green, smooth
- Underside of leaf light green, red hair on the veins
- 30-40 cm long
- pointed
Characteristics of different types of ash trees
Depending on the type of ash tree, the leaves differ slightly in shape, color and arrangement.
- Black ash: green, up to 20 cm long, imparipinnate, 5-9 individual leaves on a petiole, serrated leaf edge, egg-shaped
- Pumpkin ash: shiny green, up to 40 cm long, 5-9 individual leaves on a petiole, imparipinnate, serrated leaf edge, tapering, ovoid
- Texas ash: green, odd-pinnate, 5-7 individual leaves on a petiole, up to 20 cm long, serrated leaf edge
- Arizona ash: 10-15 cm long, imparipinnate, 3-7 individual leaves on a petiole, lanceolate shape, serrated leaf edge, both leaf sides are hairy
Time of budding
Unlike many other deciduous trees, the ash tree only sprouts very late in spring. The buds have long since formed at this point and open even before the leaves appear.
Special feature of leaf shedding
The ash is the only deciduous tree to shed its green leaves. A symbiosis with bacterial microorganisms makes this unique property possible.
Use in medicine
People have been using ash leaves for medicinal treatments since ancient times. The best known is probably the tea made from ash leaves, which you can easily make yourself. To do this, collect a few ash tree leaves in June, which you can easily recognize by the characteristics mentioned above. Remove the stems and allow the leaves to dry. Finally, scald them with hot water. This tea has a diuretic and slightly laxative effect. Ash leaves prove to be a natural home remedy for constipation.
