Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Fraxinus angustifolia

narrow-leaved ash

A large, fast-growing, spreading, deciduous tree to 25m tall with grey bark that becomes finely and deeply fissured with age. Leaves, 10-25cm long, from brown winter buds, are made up of 7-13 slender, lance-shaped, dark green and glossy leaflets that turn golden-yellow in autumn. Insignificant greenish flowers are followed by winged fruits in the autumn.

Synonyms
Fraxinus rotundifolia
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Green
Summer Green
Autumn Gold Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Oleaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Fraxinus are medium-sized to large, mostly deciduous trees with attractive pinnate leaves, sometimes conspicuous flowers and autumn colour, and distinctive winged fruits

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Europe, N Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in a fertile, well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil in full sun. Suitable for woodland and coastal gardens

Propagation

Propagate by seed or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Ash dieback has recently been found in the UK. Restrictions have been put in place (from 29 October 2012) regarding both the importation of ash from abroad and the movement of ash within the UK. May also be susceptible to honey fungus

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.