Identifying Ashes

You know it's an ash because: the leaves are opposite, pinnate (except Single-leaved Ash, F.excelsior f. diversifolia), and toothed to some degree; the buds are black/brown/grey and woolly; the fruit consists of bunches of single, hanging keys.

Not to be confused with: Caucasian Wingnut (leaves alternate; fruit in distinctive strings); Elder (red-green buds; distinctive fruit); Box Elder (leaves irregular, usually only three leaflets; fruit paired)

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The only naturally-occuring ash is Common Ash.

There are three common planted species:

•	Common Ash which has large leaves, diagnostic black buds, and which occurs in a number of cultivars including Weeping Ash
•	Narrow-leaved Ash, usually as its cultivar Claret Ash, with narrow leaves giving feathery foliage
•	Manna Ash, which has leaves whose central leaf-stalks are noticeably kinked, and which is unmistakeable when in flower

A number of rarer species are also occasionally encountered, including Red Ash.

 
 

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Copyright © 2007 Philip Brassett