Ashes
What are they?
Ash trees are members of the Olive family (Oleaceae) and are typically medium to large trees with pinnate leaves and stout, opposite, winter buds. The flowers are small and without petals, but appear in many-branched clusters, just before - or with - the leaves in spring. Some species of ash have male and female flowers on the same tree, while others have them on separate trees. Our native ash has flower clusters which may consist of male, female or bisexual flowers and the same tree may contain all three of these and be different in different years.
Where are they found?
The native European Ash is an abundant tree in our countryside throughout most of the region. Other species are grown as ornamentals in parks, churchyards and along roadsides.
Identification
Ashes are readily told by the combination of compound leaves, chunky, dark buds and winged seeds. Telling the species apart requires noting the shape of the leaflets, the appearance of the winter buds (which can be told readily from autumn to spring) and occasionally in the appearance of the flowers.
European Ash Fraxinus excelsior
Native and abundant, especially in damp woods and hedgerows on the heavier boulder clay soils, but currently rapidly declining due to a virulent dieback disease. Flowers April to May. A deciduous tree to 30m in height. Flowers petalless. Winter buds very dark, chocolate brown to almost black.
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Narrow-leaved Ash Fraxinus angustifolia ssp. angustifolia
Introduced from Spain and occasionally found in parks and on roadsides. Occasional trees in the wider countryside may have been planted in the mistaken belief that they were our native ash. Flowers April to May. A deciduous tree, 15-30m in height. Flowers petalless, male and female on separate trees. Winter buds brown, lighter than those of our native ash. Leaves with narrow, well-toothed leaflets that are hairless beneath.
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Fine-leaved Ash Fraxinus angustifolia ssp. oxycarpa
Introduced from southern Europe and occasionally found in parks and on roadsides. Flowers April to May. A deciduous tree, to around 15m in height. Flowers petalless, male and female on separate trees. Winter buds brown, lighter than those of our native ash. Leaves with very narrow, well-toothed leaflets that are slightly hairy along the veins beneath. Most often grown as the cultivar 'Raywood' which has rich gold and deep purple autumn colour.
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Manna Ash Fraxinus ornus
(Flowering Ash) Introduced from southern Europe and occasionally found in parks and on roadsides where it is grown for its attractive flowers. Flowers April to May. A deciduous tree, 10-20m in height. Flowers with long, white, strap-like petals, forming flossy clusters in the tree in late spring. Winter buds light grey-brown. Leaves with leaflets that are typically shorter and broader with more rounded tips than those of other ashes.
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