Ash - fraxinus excelsior
 The Ash is a native broadleaf and fairly abundant tree. When
fully grown it is a tall and graceful tree with a light domed canopy. It
often grows with other Ash trees and tends to grow smaller and thinner in these
conditions. The Ash has characteristic delicate “leaflets” rather than single
leaves.
Age and height
It grows up to 40m to 150 years
 Leaves
These are not single leaves but are compound
and made up of several “leaflets”. They are lance shaped with slightly
toothed edges. Leaflets are arranged in pairs with an odd one at the end
 Bark
The bark is smooth and grey with fissures that
appear as it grows older.
The colour of the bark is thought to give the tree
it’s name
Flowers and seeds
Can be male, female or both. Purple catkin female
flowers ripen and grow into seeds called “keys”. So called because they
look like old fashioned keys. They spin in the wind so are also called
“spinners”
Where does the Ash grow?
It is naturally found in Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa. Ash
prefers to grow in deep, moist, well drained and fertile soil. It also
grows best on northern and eastern sides of hills where the atmosphere is moist
and cool. The Ash is often associated with Welsh Woodlands which have
these good conditions for growth. It can also survive well near smoke and
pollution so is a good urban dweller.
Wildlife around the Ash
The Ash has high conservation value. The airy canopy and short leaf
stay allow a lot of sunlight through to the woodland floor and hence a rich and
varied ground flora can grow, such as wild garlic and dogs mercury .
This also means plenty of food to allow a wide variety of insects and
birds. In upland Ash woods the High Brown Fritillary butterfly may be
seen. Birds such as Bullfinch enjoy the seeds and Woodcocks, Woodpeckers,
Redstarts and the Nuthatch can find plenty of good nesting sites. In mixed
Ash woodlands you may even see a dormouse!
Timber
People have used the hardwood timber of Ash for many years. Its timber
is one of the toughest and a natural shock absorber. The wood can take a hard
blow without splintering and so is used where strength and flexibility are
needed.
Ash wood today
Used for tool and sport handles: hammers, axes, spades, hockey sticks and
oars. The attractive grain, the strength and the way it can be easily bent means
that Ash is also widely used for furniture.
Old uses include skis, tent
pegs, horse drawn coach and cart building and agricultural implements.
Ash can also be grown as “coppice” which means the trunk and branches can be
cut and new branches will grow again. This gives smaller diameter wood
which can be cut more often and was very good for firewood and charcoal in the
past. This type of management for trees is growing popular again.
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