Ash, Common
The Common Ash, is a broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 35m, and may live for 350 years, although 200 years may be more typical.
Tall and graceful, they often grow together, forming a domed canopy. The bark is pale grey-brown and fissures as the tree ages. The tree is easily identified in winter by its smooth twigs that have distinctive black velvety leaf buds arranged opposite each other.
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Common Name:
Common Ash
Scentific Name:
Fraxinus excelsior
Tree No.:
25
Location:
N16
Pinnately compound, typically comprising 3–6 opposite pairs of light green, oval leaflets with tips up to 40cm long. There is an additional singular ‘terminal’ leaflet at the end. The leaves can move in the direction of sunlight, and sometimes the whole crown of the tree may lean in the direction of the sun. Another characteristic of ash leaves is that they fall when they are still green.
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Ash is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers typically grow on different trees, although a single tree can also have male and female flowers on different branches. Both male and female flowers are purple and appear before the leaves in spring, growing in spiked clusters at the tips of twigs.
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Once the female flowers have been pollinated by wind, they develop into conspicuous winged fruits, or ‘keys’, in late summer and autumn. They fall from the tree in winter and early spring, and are dispersed by birds and mammals..
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The common Ash is Native to the UK and found across much of Mainland Europe. In Britain Ash is the second most abundant tree species in small woodland patches after the native oak species.
Ash trees make the perfect habitat for a number of different species of wildlife.
The airy canopy and early leaf fall allow sunlight to reach the woodland floor, providing optimum conditions for wild flowers.
In turn, these support a range of insects. Bullfinches eat the seeds and woodpeckers, owls, and redstarts use the trees for nesting.
Because the trees are so long lived, they support deadwood specialists such as the lesser stag beetle.
Ash bark is often covered with lichens and mosses.
Ash timber was widely used for the frames of early aircraft and cars, such as the Morris Traveller, as well as Morgan cars to this day.
It is one of the toughest hardwoods and absorbs shocks without splintering. It is ideal for making tools and sport handles, including hammers, axes, spades, hockey sticks and oars. An attractive wood, it is also used for furniture making.
Ash, Elm and Oak, were used in the manufacture of cart wheels. Ash is used for the rim, called felloes, due to its flexibility and springy nature, this acts as a form of suspension and protects against shock damage.
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Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens,
43 Bocking End,
Braintree,
CM7 9AE.
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We provide, maintain and preserve these unique and beautiful gardens as a community green space.
