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Description
Fraxinus is a genus of flowering plants commonly known as ash trees. It belongs to the family Oleaceae and is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The name “fraxinus” is derived from the Latin word for “ash tree.”Ash trees are known for their tall, straight trunks and compound leaves. They are deciduous trees, meaning they shed their leaves annually. The flowers of ash trees are small and inconspicuous, and the fruit is a winged samara that resembles a paddle.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Oleaceae |
| Genus | Fraxinus |
Appearance
Ash trees can grow up to 80 feet tall and have a spread of up to 70 feet. The bark of young ash trees is smooth and gray, but as the tree ages, it becomes rough and fissured. The leaves of ash trees are compound, meaning they are made up of several leaflets. The leaflets are long and narrow, with serrated edges.Ash trees produce small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring. The fruit of the ash tree is a winged samara that is 1-2 inches long. The samara is light green when it first appears, but it turns brown as it matures.
Care Guide
Ash trees require regular watering, especially during periods of drought. They prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Fertilize ash trees in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. Ash trees require full sun to partial shade and are hardy in zones 3-9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Ash trees are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including emerald ash borer, ash yellows, and ash anthracnose. Emerald ash borer is a beetle that burrows into the bark of ash trees and can kill the tree within a few years. Ash yellows is a disease that causes the leaves of ash trees to turn yellow and fall off prematurely. Ash anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes brown spots on the leaves and can lead to defoliation.
Habitat
Ash trees are native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia. They grow in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and riparian areas.
Question and Answer
Q: How do I know if my ash tree has emerald ash borer?
A: Look for D-shaped exit holes in the bark and thinning of the canopy.
Q: What should I do if my ash tree has ash yellows?
A: There is no cure for ash yellows. Remove the infected tree and replace it with a different species.
Q: How often should I fertilize my ash tree?
A: Fertilize your ash tree once a year in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer.
Q: What is the hardiness zone for ash trees?
A: Ash trees are hardy in zones 3-9.
Related Plants
- Olea europaea
- Syringa vulgaris
- Juglans nigra
- Populus tremuloides
References
- “Fraxinus.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 May 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraxinus.
- Bonner, Franklin T. Trees of North America. HarperCollins Publishers, 2005.
- Gilman, Edward F. “Fraxinus.” University of Florida IFAS Extension, 2019, edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_fraxinus.
