Fraxinus excelsior is a well-known tree, native to Europe. Many useful selections have been developed from it. The crown is wide oval to almost round. Height 25 - 30 m, in good soil sometimes 40 m. The odd-pinnate leaf has 4 - 6 pairs and can become 25 - 30 cm. It has a dark green topside and is lighter green underneath. Leaf buds strikingly black. During or just before the leaf appears it has an inconspicuous inflorescence with lateral panicles. On female trees, the flowers are followed by winged fruits, 2,5 - 5 cm long. F. excelsior can be applied for landscape planting, wind breaks and wide green verges. Prefers rich, moist soil. The relatively hard and strong wood is used, among other things, for tool-handles, sports-equipment and ladder-poles/steps.
wide oval to round , half-open crown, capricious growing
Bark and branches
grey-brown bark, regularly and shallowly furrowed
Leaf
odd-pinnate, 7 - 11 (13) leaflets, dark green, 25 - 30 cm, feathered leaf
Flowers
dioecious, unisexual, inconspicuous panicles, April
Fruits
winged fruit, length 2,5 - 5 cm
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
moist, rich in nutrients
Soil moisture
suitable for wet soil, withstand short flood
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
4 (-34,4 to -28,9 °C)
Wind resistance
good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind, resistant to de-icing salt
Application
avenues and broad streets, coastal areas, industrial areas
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
Europe
Clear stem treeMulti-stem treecalcareous soilclay soilloamy soilsandy soiltolerates no pavingresistant to de-icing saltresistant to frost (WH 1 - 6)suitable for wet soilwithstand short floodcan withstand wind1st size , taller than 12 metreshalf-open crowngreenyellowgreenlate sproutfast growingFeathered leafnon-toxic (usually)Capricious growingplayground tree
Frequently asked questions
Fraxinus excelsior
Fraxinus excelsior can eventually reach a height of 25 - 30 (40) m , fast growing, depending on the site and climate conditions.
Fraxinus excelsior is fast growing and can eventually reach a height of 25 - 30 (40) m , fast growing, depending on the site and climate conditions.
The right time to plant Fraxinus excelsior is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Fraxinus excelsior with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.