Ash
Ash navigation
The ash tree – botanical name Fraxinus excelsior – is a widely sought after native tree thanks to its naturally shock absorbing wood. For this reason, it’s popular for making tool handles. It’s also useful as firewood.
Facts and statistics
Here are some interesting facts about ash trees.
200 years.
It can reach up to 40 metres.
Leaves grow from May onwards. This allows any surrounding ground plants a chance to grow well. Its compound leaves are arranged in pairs.
Single winged seeds, called ‘keys’, grow in bunches.
Smooth and greenish grey bark, which turns grey and cracks with age.
It supports 68 insect species.
Europe, Anatolia and North Africa.
It is used to make handles for axes and spades, oars, flooring, hockey sticks and rackets. In the past, it’s been used for skis, coaches, carts and farm implements.