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Common ash seeds - Fraxinus excelsior

Fraxinus excelsior
European Ash, Common Ash

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

Fraxinus excelsior, common ash, is a large deciduous forest tree. It is recognisable by its black buds and compound, lanceolate, dark green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. This tree grows quickly, developing an elegant and airy habit over time. Highly resistant to cold and easy to cultivate in deep, moist soil, it is ideal for planting in parks or very large gardens. Growing from seed requires a cold period (stratification) to break the seed dormancy.
Height at maturity
30 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
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Sowing period March to June
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Flowering time April
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Description

Growing Fraxinus excelsior, the common ash, from seeds offers the opportunity to watch this majestic tree grow from its earliest stages of development. Its seeds, enclosed in elongated samaras, ripen in autumn and require winter stratification to break their dormancy. They will develop into a tree with an upright habit, whose straight trunk supports light and elegant branches. The ash bears dark green lanceolate foliage whose golden autumn colour illuminates the landscape. It can be planted to provide shade in a large garden.

Fraxinus excelsior, better known as the common ash or European ash, belongs to the Oleaceae family. This tree is native to Europe, Scandinavia and Russia, where it readily colonises riverbanks and cool, deep forests. Adapted to moist soils, it plays an important ecological role in stabilising banks and hosting rich biodiversity. Its naturally upright habit gives it an elegant and slender silhouette. It develops a straight, well-defined trunk, topped with a compact and elongated crown when young, which gradually opens up with age to become more airy. Its smooth and greyish young bark becomes fissured over the years, adopting a cracked and scaly appearance. With relatively fast growth, it can reach between 30 and 40 metres in height at maturity, with a spread of around 20 metres. Its deciduous foliage consists of light leaves, composed of 9 to 13 narrow, lanceolate leaflets, measuring between 5 and 12 cm long. Dark green in summer, they turn golden yellow in autumn before falling. Common ash flowers in spring, before the leaves appear. Small cream-yellow flowers, clustered in panicles, bloom discreetly on the branches. After pollination, they produce dry fruits called samaras, measuring 2 to 4.5 cm long, which disperse with the wind and ensure the tree's reproduction.

Perfectly hardy and with limited requirements, common ash tolerates all types of non-scorching exposures and adapts to any ordinary soil, including limestone. Its growth will be more significant in fertile, deep and moist soil. It tolerates pruning very well, even severe pruning, as it produces new shoots from the stump. If conditions suit it, it tends to self-seed very easily. In its natural form, its foliage and elegant habit give it genuine ornamental qualities. It will find its place as a standalone feature in a large garden, where it will provide pleasant shade in summer.

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Common ash seeds - Fraxinus excelsior in pictures

Common ash seeds - Fraxinus excelsior  (Foliage) Foliage
Common ash seeds - Fraxinus excelsior  (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant
Flowering time April
Inflorescence Panicle
Flowering description Pauciflorous panicle, in a cyme of cymes, with a subtle greenish-yellow hue, of little ornamental interest.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 m
Spread at maturity 20 m
Growth rate normal

Safety measures

Potential risks Plant that can cause respiratory allergy due to pollen

Botanical data

Genus

Fraxinus

Species

excelsior

Family

Oleaceae

Other common names

European Ash, Common Ash

Origin

Western Europe, Central Europe

Product reference23996

Other Fraxinus - Ash tree

1
75,00 € 7.5L/10L pot
2
75,00 € 7.5L/10L pot
19
From 2,90 € Seeds
5
From 55,00 € 7.5L/10L pot
2
From 129,00 € 30L/35L pot
7
From 59,00 € 7.5L/10L pot
4
From 55,00 € 7.5L/10L pot
6
From 55,00 € 7.5L/10L pot

Planting and care

To sow common ash seeds (Fraxinus excelsior), several steps are required.

Begin with cold stratification: place the seeds in a moist substrate, such as sand or peat, and keep them in the refrigerator at a temperature between 1 and 5°C for about 2 to 4 months. This cold period simulates the winter conditions needed to break the seed's dormancy. After stratification, in early spring, sow the seeds by lightly covering them in a mix of potting compost and sand, in pots or directly in a nursery bed. Keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged and place the sowings in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight.

Once the young plants have reached a height of 15 to 20 cm and display several pairs of leaves, they are ready for transplanting. Choose a permanent location with sufficient space. Prepare a planting hole of about 60 x 60 cm, loosen the soil well, and if possible, incorporate organic matter such as compost to enrich the substrate. Position the young plant, ensuring the collar is level with the soil, backfill the hole, firm gently and water thoroughly. It is advisable to stake the plant to protect it from winds and ensure good root establishment.

Common ash is a hardy species that adapts to a variety of soils, though it prefers deep, moist to wet soils and tolerates chalky soils. It is sensitive to drought and thrives in high atmospheric humidity. It is important to note that ash trees are currently endangered by ash dieback, a fungal disease caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which leads to severe tree decline. Before planting, it is advisable to check for the presence of this disease in your area and follow local forestry management recommendations.

18
5,90 €
8
17,50 €

Sowing period

Sowing period March to June
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge, Pond edge
Type of use Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -34°C (USDA zone 4) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil, Deep, fertile

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