Fraxinus angustifolia Information

Fraxinus angustifolia, commonly known as the narrow-leaved ash, is a deciduous tree belonging to the family Oleaceae. It is native to southern Europe, western Asia, and North Africa.

Description: The narrow-leaved ash can grow up to 20-25 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1 meter. It has a rounded crown and a straight, cylindrical bole. The bark is grayish-brown and smooth when the tree is young, but it becomes rough and fissured as it ages. The leaves are pinnately compound, with 5-9 leaflets that are lanceolate to narrowly elliptical in shape. The leaflets are up to 10 cm long and 2 cm wide, with serrated margins. The flowers are greenish-yellow and appear in early spring before the leaves. The fruit is a samara, a winged seed that is up to 5 cm long.

Distribution: The narrow-leaved ash is native to southern Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It is widely planted as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens throughout Europe and North America.

Habitat: The narrow-leaved ash grows in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, riverbanks, and rocky slopes. It prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of soil types, from sandy to clayey.

Uses: The wood of the narrow-leaved ash is hard and durable, and it is used for furniture, tool handles, and sports equipment. The tree is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, rheumatism, and coughs.

Threats: The narrow-leaved ash is threatened by the ash dieback disease caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. This disease has had a devastating impact on ash trees across Europe, killing millions of trees. The narrow-leaved ash is also threatened by habitat loss due to urbanization and deforestation.