Common ash is found across Europe, from the Arctic Circle to Turkey. It is the third most common tree in Britain. It is currently being affected by Chalara dieback of ash, a disease caused by the Hymenoscyphus fraxineus fungus (previously Chalara fraxinea).
When fully grown, ash trees can reach a height of 35m. Tall and graceful, they often grow together, forming a domed canopy. The bark is pale brown to grey, which fissures as the tree ages. Easily identified in winter by smooth twigs that have distinctively black, velvety leaf buds arranged opposite each other.
It is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers typically grow on different trees, although a single tree can also have male and female flowers on different branches. Both male and female flowers are purple and appear before the leaves in spring, growing in spiked clusters at the tips of twigs.
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Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Lamiales
Family:
Oleaceae
Genus:
Fraxinus
Species:
F. excelsior
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Characteristics
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading / Branched
Hardiness
H6
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Moisture
Moist but well-drained
Soil
Chalk, Clay, Sand
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Ultimate spread
wider than 8 metres
Time to ultimate height
20-50 years
