Fraxinus Chinensis

Description

Fraxinus Chinensis, commonly known as the Chinese Ash Tree, is an attractive deciduous tree that is native to China. It is a member of the Oleaceae family and is known for its lanceolate leaves, which turn yellow in the fall. The tree can grow up to 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide and has a round to oval-shaped crown. The bark is gray and smooth when young, but it becomes rough and fissured as the tree matures.

Taxonomic Information

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Spermatophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Lamiales
Family	Oleaceae
Genus	Fraxinus

Appearance

The Chinese Ash Tree has a round to oval-shaped crown that can reach up to 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide. The tree has a straight trunk that is covered in gray, smooth bark when young, but it becomes rough and fissured as the tree matures. The tree’s leaves are lanceolate, meaning they are long and narrow with pointed tips. The leaves grow in pairs and are arranged oppositely along the branches. They are dark green in the summer and turn yellow in the fall. The Chinese Ash Tree produces clusters of small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring that give way to winged samaras in the fall.

Care Guide

To care for a Chinese Ash Tree, it is important to provide it with adequate water, fertilizer, soil, sunlight, and to choose the right hardiness zone.Water: The Chinese Ash Tree prefers well-draining soil and regular watering. During the growing season, it is recommended to water the tree once a week, making sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.Fertilization: Fertilize the tree in the spring with a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer.Soil: The Chinese Ash Tree prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but it prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil.Sunlight: The Chinese Ash Tree prefers full sun to partial shade.Hardiness Zones: The Chinese Ash Tree is hardy in USDA zones 6-9.

Common Pests & Diseases

The Chinese Ash Tree is susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including:Pests: The Chinese Ash Tree can be attacked by ash borers, which can cause significant damage to the tree. Additionally, aphids and spider mites can infest the tree, causing leaf drop and stunted growth.Diseases: The Chinese Ash Tree can be affected by ash yellows, which is a fatal disease that causes the tree to decline rapidly. Additionally, the tree can be affected by ash anthracnose, which causes leaf spots and can lead to defoliation.

Habitat

The Chinese Ash Tree is native to China and is commonly found in forests, woodlands, and along riverbanks. It is a hardy tree that can tolerate a range of soil types and conditions.

Question and Answer

Q: Is the Chinese Ash Tree a fast-growing tree?
A: Yes, the Chinese Ash Tree is considered a fast-growing tree.Q: Can the Chinese Ash Tree tolerate drought?
A: The Chinese Ash Tree prefers regular watering and may not tolerate extended periods of drought.Q: When is the best time to prune a Chinese Ash Tree?
A: The best time to prune a Chinese Ash Tree is in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.Q: Can the Chinese Ash Tree be grown in containers?
A: While it is possible to grow the Chinese Ash Tree in containers, it is not recommended as the tree can grow quite large and may become root-bound.

Related Plants

Other related plants in the Fraxinus genus include:

• Fraxinus americana (White Ash)
• Fraxinus excelsior (European Ash)
• Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green Ash)

References

• “Fraxinus chinensis.” Missouri Botanical Garden, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=e328.
• “Fraxinus chinensis.” Plant Database, Dave’s Garden, www.davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/80118/#b.
• “Fraxinus chinensis.” The Morton Arboretum, www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/chinese-ash.