Ash Arizona
Ash Arizona
|
Scientific Name |
Fraxinus velutina |
|
Foliage: Deciduous |
Leaves: The leaves are compound, meaning each leaf is made up of 3 to 5 smaller leaflets (usually about 3 inches long). They are bright, medium-green. A key feature is the "velvety" texture (giving it the nickname Velvet Ash) on the undersides of the leaves and on the young twigs. Bark: On young trees, the bark is smooth and grey. As the tree matures, the bark becomes thick and develops a rough, fissured texture with diamond-shaped ridges, similar to other ash species. Fall Color: In the autumn, the entire tree turns a uniform, brilliant golden-yellow. This is one of its most attractive features, as the color is very consistent across the whole canopy. Flowers/Seeds: In the spring, it produces small, inconspicuous clusters of flowers before the leaves appear. Female trees will produce drooping clusters of "winged seeds" (samaras) that look like tiny oars or paddles |
|
Mature Height |
30 – 50 feet |
|
Mature Width (Spread) |
30 – 45 feet |
|
Growth Rate |
Fast (can grow 3–4 feet per year when young) |
|
USDA Zone |
7 – 10 |
Plant Care & Characteristics
Light Requirements: Full Sun. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. It does not do well in the shade of larger trees.
Water Requirements: Moderate. While native to creek beds and canyons, it is very adaptable. It needs deep, regular watering to establish. Once mature, it prefers a deep soak every 2–3 weeks during summer.
Drought Resistance: Moderate. It is more drought-tolerant than other ash species, but it is not a "desert" tree. Lack of water will lead to a thinning canopy and "die-back" in the upper branches.
Soil Type: Highly Adaptable. It thrives in alkaline, salty, or heavy clay soils. It is very common in high-pH environments where other trees might suffer from chlorosis (yellowing).
Deer Resistance: High. Deer rarely graze on the foliage of mature Arizona Ash trees, though they may rub their antlers on the smooth bark of young trunks.
Pest Vulnerability: Like many ash trees, it is susceptible to borers and the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). It is also prone to "Anthracnose" (a fungal leaf spot) during wet springs, though this is rarely fatal.Surface Roots: Arizona Ash is notorious for having aggressive, shallow roots that can crack sidewalks or make mowing the lawn difficult as the tree ages. It is important to keep this in mind when picking a spot to plant this tree.