Fraxinus angustifolia — Narrow-leaved Ash

An uncommon introduction from the Western Mediterranean at the beginning of the 19th century; an early- 20th century Australian cultivar, Claret Ash, is however very common, as a park and street tree.

The type tree has completely hairless opposite pinnate leaves.

Claret Ash (ssp. oxycarpa ‘Raywood’) is the commonly grown form, with similarly puffy clouds of foliage; the leaves differ subtly by having hairs under the midrib. Buds are brown and felty. Older trees are rare as they tend to shed boughs and need to be cut down. Autumn foliage reliably turns purple and orange, even in a poor autumn (colour-wise) like 2006.

For similar trees see: Ashes, Opposite pinnate leaves

 
 

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Copyright © 2007 Philip Brassett