ash

leaves

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. It grows up to 40m to 150 years. The leaves 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.

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.

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.

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 .

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