Fraxinus excelsior aka Ash
Taxonomy
Fraxinus excelsior, also known as the ash, European ash or Common ash, is a large deciduous tree in the olive family, Oleaceae, that is native throughout mainland Europe east to the Caucasus and Alborz mountains, as well as Britain and Ireland. It grows to 12-18 metres (39-59 feet), with a trunk up to 2 metres (6.6 feet) in diameter, and a tall, narrow crown. The bark is smooth and pale grey on young trees, becoming thick and vertically fissured on old trees. It is a popular houseplant, that is not challenging to grow, needing regular watering, long-lasting direct light (less than 1 foot from a window), and well-draining soil. It shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. Fraxinus excelsior is found in Norse mythology, where a mythological ash tree called Yggdrasil serves as the center of the world. It is widely cultivated, and naturalised in New Zealand and scattered locales in the United States and Canada.
Common names
Ash, European Ash, Common AshHow to care for Ash
Difficulty
Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Ash due to its easy-going nature.
Water
Ash should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Ash loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Ash thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Common Ash.
Toxicity
Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.
Fertilizer
The Ash should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.
Region of origin
Ash’s native range is Europe, including Britain south of latitude 64°, to N. Africa and W. Asia.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Fraxinus Genus
Fraxinus xanthoxyloides Afghan Ash
Fraxinus velutina Arizona Ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash
Fraxinus profunda Pumpkin Ash
Fraxinus quadrangulata Blue Ash
Fraxinus hookeri
Fraxinus nigra Water Ash
Fraxinus longicuspis Japanese Ash
Fraxinus americana White Ash
