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Common ash: properties, description and photo. Ash: where it grows and what it looks like, photo and description of the tree

Common ash tree

Botanical name: Common ash or Tall ash (Fraxinus excelsior) – genus Ash, family Olive.

Homeland of common ash: Europe.

Lighting: photophilous.

The soil: fertile, moist.

Watering: moderate.

Maximum tree height: 40 m.

Average life expectancy: 300 years.

Landing: seeds, seedlings.

What does common ash look like: description and photo

High deciduous tree, reaching 40 m. The crown is wide, rounded, light, raised high, the branches are directed upward.

The trunk is low, regular cylindrical in shape. The bark is ash-gray, smooth, and in older trees it has deep, longitudinal and narrow, small cracks.

The buds are black and fleecy.

Ash leaves are odd-pinnate, opposite, consisting of 7-15 leaves, developing after flowering, serrated at the edges, pointed at the top, dark green, smooth, pale green below, hairy.

The flowers are collected in bunches and have neither a calyx nor a corolla. Each flower contains several red stamens, which distinguishes the tree from other species. Flowering begins in May, before the leaves appear.

The fruit is a lionfish 4-5 cm long, first green, then brown, narrow, slightly widened at the top, with a small notch, collected in several pieces into an inflorescence - a panicle. The seed is flat, wide, tapering downward. Ripen in August. They stay on the tree throughout the winter.

In the photo, the common ash tree is presented in all its glory. It is decorated by an elegant, openwork crown with large foliage and a slender pyramidal trunk.

Where does the ash tree grow in Russia?

Widely distributed in Europe, Transcaucasia, the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. There are quite a few places where ash grows in Russia; its range covers the European part of the country. It is located along the line St. Petersburg – the Right Bank of the Volga – the mouth of the Medveditsa River. Grows in Crimea, Moldova, Ukraine and the Caucasus. In the Caucasus it rises high into the mountains, reaching favorable conditions large sizes. Settles on different soils, sometimes on swampy ones. Adjacent to alder. It very rarely forms pure stands. It is found in deciduous and mixed forests as an admixture. Grows in clearings and cutting areas.

Growing quickly. Photophilous. Prefers fertile, slightly acidic soils. Frost-resistant, withstands temperatures down to -40°C. However, in severe frosts, young shoots can freeze slightly, so they should be covered for the winter. Does not tolerate dry soil well. Easily adapts to urban conditions.

Reproduction

Under natural conditions, the plant reproduces by stump shoots and layering, and is well regenerated by seeds. In artificial plantings, ash is propagated by seeds that have undergone preliminary stratification. Decorative forms are propagated by grafting.

Application of ash

Thanks to its rapid growth and unpretentiousness, common ash is considered a valuable tree for landscaping cities, creating parks, alleys, and lining roads. Looks good in complex compositions.

It has several decorative forms used in landscape design. The most interesting of them are monumental, with a pyramidal crown; low - with a slow growth rate and a compact rounded crown; weeping, reaching up to 8 m in height, with a dome-shaped crown and long branches hanging to the ground.

The wood of this tree is light, with a dark core, and a beautiful texture. It has high strength, toughness, resistance to cracking, flexibility, and beautiful texture. Reminiscent of oak wood, it has the same density and strength.

Previously, war clubs, stakes, spears, bows, spears and arrows were made from ash, which is why in ancient times this tree was considered a symbol of war. Products made from it were strong, moderately heavy and durable.

For peaceful purposes, ash was used to make sleighs, rocker arms, wheels, small crafts, and souvenirs. Dishes made from this wood were in great demand. It was not varnished, painted or patterned. The only decoration was the light, shiny wood grain. Ash boards have been used in shipbuilding for a long time.

IN modern world The scope of application of ash has expanded significantly. It is used to make parquet, cladding material, aircraft parts, gymnastic bars, sports equipment: skis, oars, tennis rackets, turning and other products. Wood is used in shipbuilding, aircraft manufacturing, and carriage building. It is used to make stair railings and tool handles, furniture and plywood.

Ash fruits contain fatty oils and are eaten. In the Caucasus, unripe fruits are cooked with vinegar and salt. After collection, they are carefully crushed and then preserved. Served as a seasoning for meat or fish.

Dark green oil is obtained from ash seeds, which is used in the production of paint, artificial rubber and soap.

The bark is rich in tannins; blue, black, and brown paint are obtained from it.

The medicinal properties of ash allow it to be used in medicine.

The healing properties of ash

Ash has antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, wound-healing, and diuretic properties. It has an analgesic and laxative effect on the human body. It is used in the form of decoctions, infusions, powders and medicinal teas. Compresses are made from a decoction of the leaves to treat radiculitis, rheumatism and osteochondrosis. A decoction of fresh, crushed leaves is used to treat wounds, hematomas, and severe bruises. Such compresses quickly relieve pain, eliminate swelling and speed up healing. For pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis, uterine bleeding and hemorrhoids, an infusion is made from crushed tree roots.

Preparations made from ash help get rid of worms and cure coughs. Thanks to the rich chemical composition This plant is used to treat many diseases. Active ingredients: essential oils, coumarins, tannins, bitters, resin, gum, flavonoids.

A decoction of ash roots is used to treat chronic respiratory diseases. For kidney diseases, radiculitis, dysentery and worms, use a decoction of the leaves. The infusion helps calm the nervous system, relax, and has a positive effect on sleep. A decoction of tree bark effectively treats colds.

Tea made from ash leaves has a diuretic effect and helps remove excess liquid from the body. Powder from the seeds is used as a diaphoretic and diuretic. Infusion from the kidneys is used for gout, bladder diseases and women's diseases. A mixture of different parts of the plant is used for arthritis.

Despite its numerous beneficial properties, the common ash tree is poisonous plant Therefore, it should be used with caution and only under medical supervision. Contraindicated in hypertension. In case of an overdose, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and poisoning occur.

IN medicinal purposes They collect young leaves, bark, fruits, seeds, and tree roots.

Bark and leaves are harvested in early spring or early summer. Dry in the shade at a temperature not exceeding -40°C. The roots are harvested in the spring. Fruits are in autumn.

Planting and care

Only strong plants are suitable for planting seedlings. Weak or damaged seedlings should not be planted, since there is little chance that they will take root. Before planting, choose the most suitable place. Ash is light-loving, so it is better to choose an area that is well lit by sunlight or semi-shaded. The tree can grow in any soil, but it develops better in fertile, fertilizer-rich, moist, slightly acidic soil. When planting, you should take into account that its powerful roots grow strongly and form root shoots; they must be immediately cut out at the very base.

Spring is the best time to plant. The distance between seedlings should be at least 5 m. When the plant is placed in a hole, the root is placed 20 cm above the soil level, since after planting the soil compacts and settles. Then the plant is watered abundantly with water. Regular watering is carried out over the next 4-6 days.

Wood is corrosive. When it appears, all trees are affected. The caterpillars penetrate the buds and petioles of leaves, and after a few days they develop into shoots.

Ash fruits are affected by the seed-eater weevil. The larva lives inside the seeds. Dark small dots appear on the infected seed. In May, beetles begin to eat the fruits.

Chemicals are used to control all insect pests.

If stored improperly, mold will form on the fruits, caused by certain types of fungi. To prevent it, fruits are stored in a dry room, with an optimal humidity of no more than 12%.

In winter, the seeds often serve as food for bullfinches and squirrels. Rodents eat fallen fruits.

People call this tree “holly”, “ash tree”, “ash tree”. It is adjacent to elm, maple, but more often with oak. Watching the oak and ash trees in the spring, people noted: “If the oak leaves its leaves earlier, the summer will be dry.”

The ancient Greeks believed that the juice of the leaves of this plant healed wounds from bites. poisonous snakes. The sap of the branches was dropped into the eyes to improve vision and give them shine. A decoction of the fruit was used to enhance sexual desire. In Rus', the bark of the tree was used as an antimalarial and antifever agent.

Ash was worshiped by many peoples. It was called the “tree of knowledge” and was considered a symbol of wisdom and life. In Ukrainian folklore, he personifies suffering. In the mythology of the ancient Scandinavians, the forces of nature were represented in the form of a huge ash tree supporting the vault of heaven. In magic, he personifies good and evil. Has strong energy. The best time to communicate with a tree is the first half of the day.

In the 19th century, it was common to use the word “ash” in the feminine gender.

A wide variety of plant crops grow throughout our planet. And a significant number of them have long been used by people in medicinal purposes. Based on them, a variety of drugs were prepared that helped cope with even very serious diseases. Small herbs, large bushes, and even big trees. The ash tree, familiar to all of us, can be classified as one of the latter. Let's talk about the features of this culture and its unique qualities a little more detail.

Ash is a fairly common tree in the vast expanses of our homeland, and historically, in all areas where this crop grows, it has found its use, including for treatment various kinds diseases.

This is ash (photo):

What does ash look like? Description of the tree

The height of an ash tree can reach thirty meters. This plant is quite easy to recognize, thanks to its characteristic pinnately dissected leaves and specific black dots. Ash leaves are opposite, they develop exclusively after flowering. The foliage on the branches alternates crosswise; one branch can have from seven to thirteen leaves.

Most often, ash flowers do not have a corolla or a calyx, but they have stamens painted red. Flowers are collected in bunches.

On ash trees, fruits are formed that have a winged tongue; they are located in hanging panicles. At first their color is green, and then changes to brown.

The plant begins to bloom in April, and the fruits on it develop only in November.

Where does ash grow in nature?

Ash can be found in Europe and Transcaucasia; it also grows in the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. As for Russia, this tree is found quite often here. Its range includes the European part of the state. Ash can also be found in Crimea and Moldova, and grows in Ukraine and the Caucasus.

Most often, this culture settles on a variety of soils, including wetlands. The usual neighbor of the ash tree is alder. This tree is not inclined to form pure stands, becoming part of broad-leaved and mixed forests. It can be found in cutting areas or clearings.

How to improve your health using ash? Use for treatment

The unique healing qualities of ash are determined by its well-balanced composition. The main active substances of this culture are considered to be essential oils, tannins, coumarins, resins, bitterness, flavonoids, and gum.

Ash has long been used in traditional medicine recipes; our ancestors used it almost entirely - leaves, bark, roots, flowers and seeds. Based on it, medicines for fever and various inflammatory processes. Preparations from this tree also have excellent astringent qualities. They help speed up the healing of various wounds and are characterized by diuretic properties. Consumption of ash-based medicines helps to cope with painful sensations of various etiologies, as well as achieve a mild laxative effect.

Different parts of this tree can be used to prepare infusions and decoctions; powder and medicinal tea are also prepared from them. Decoctions of the leaves are often recommended for use in preparing compresses intended for the treatment of radiculitis, osteochondrosis, and rheumatism.

A decoction prepared from fresh leaves is excellent for treating wounds, bruises and severe bruises. Such remedies and compresses remarkably eliminate unpleasant painful sensations, cope with increased swelling and significantly accelerate the healing process.

To correct pyelonephritis, cystitis and urolithiasis, it is worth consuming an infusion prepared from ash roots. This remedy also helps to cope with uterine bleeding and hemorrhoids.

Ash preparations are also often used to eliminate helminthic infestations. There are recipes that allow the use of similar drugs in cough therapy.

Tea brewed from ash leaves is used to achieve a diuretic effect. This product is great at removing excess fluid from the body. As for the powder obtained from the seeds of this tree, it also has a diuretic and, in addition, a diaphoretic effect.

An infusion based on ash buds is recommended to be taken to treat gout. In addition, this remedy helps to cope with bladder ailments and traditional female diseases. A mixture made from different parts of the plant can be used to treat arthritis.

Additional Information

It must be taken into account that even though ash has a number of most useful qualities However, this plant is poisonous. Accordingly, its use is possible only with extreme caution; in addition, such therapy requires consultation with the attending physician. Among other things, ash-based preparations are strictly contraindicated for hypertension, pregnancy, and exercise. breastfeeding. You also need to consider the likelihood of developing allergic reactions.

Botanical name: Common ash or Tall ash (Fraxinus excelsior) – genus Ash, family Olive.

Homeland of common ash: Europe.

Lighting: photophilous.

The soil: fertile, moist.

Watering: moderate.

Maximum tree height: 40 m.

Average life expectancy: 300 years.

Landing: seeds, seedlings.

What does common ash look like: description and photo

A tall deciduous tree, reaching 40 m. The crown is wide, rounded, light, raised high, the branches are directed upward.

The trunk is low, regular cylindrical in shape. The bark is ash-gray, smooth, and in older trees it has deep, longitudinal and narrow, small cracks.

The buds are black and fleecy.

Ash leaves are odd-pinnate, opposite, consisting of 7-15 leaves, developing after flowering, serrated at the edges, pointed at the top, dark green, smooth, pale green below, hairy.

In the photo, the common ash tree is presented in all its glory. It is decorated by an elegant, openwork crown with large foliage and a slender pyramidal trunk.

Where does the ash tree grow in Russia?

Widely distributed in Europe, Transcaucasia, the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. There are quite a few places where ash grows in Russia; its range covers the European part of the country. It is located along the line St. Petersburg – the Right Bank of the Volga – the mouth of the Medveditsa River. Grows in Crimea, Moldova, Ukraine and the Caucasus. In the Caucasus it rises high in the mountains, reaching large sizes under favorable conditions. Settles on different soils, sometimes on swampy ones. Adjacent to alder. It very rarely forms pure stands. It is found in deciduous and mixed forests as an admixture. Grows in clearings and cutting areas.

Reproduction

Application of ash

Thanks to its rapid growth and unpretentiousness, common ash is considered a valuable tree for landscaping cities, creating parks, alleys, and lining roads. Looks good in complex compositions.

In the modern world, the scope of application of ash has expanded significantly. It is used to make parquet, cladding material, aircraft parts, gymnastic bars, sports equipment: skis, oars, tennis rackets, turning and other products. Wood is used in shipbuilding, aircraft manufacturing, and carriage building. It is used to make stair railings and tool handles, furniture and plywood.

Dark green oil is obtained from ash seeds, which is used in the production of paint, artificial rubber and soap.

The bark is rich in tannins; blue, black, and brown paint are obtained from it.

The medicinal properties of ash allow it to be used in medicine.

The healing properties of ash

Preparations made from ash help get rid of worms and cure coughs. Due to its rich chemical composition, this plant is used to treat many diseases. Active ingredients: essential oils, coumarins, tannins, bitters, resin, gum, flavonoids.

Tea made from ash leaves has a diuretic effect and helps remove excess fluid from the body. Powder from the seeds is used as a diaphoretic and diuretic. Infusion from the kidneys is used for gout, bladder diseases and women's diseases. A mixture of different parts of the plant is used for arthritis.

Despite its many beneficial properties, the common ash tree is a poisonous plant, so it should be used with caution and only under medical supervision. Contraindicated in hypertension. In case of an overdose, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and poisoning occur.

For medicinal purposes, young leaves, bark, fruits, seeds, and roots of the tree are collected.

The bark and leaves are harvested in early spring or early summer. Dry in the shade at a temperature not exceeding -40°C. The roots are harvested in the spring. Fruits are in autumn.

Planting and care

Periodically, the soil around the tree trunk is weeded and loosened. In early spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied. If necessary, prune dry and damaged branches and remove top shoots from the trunk.

Pests and diseases of ash tree leaves

The leaves of ash trees are often damaged by Spanish fly. The beetles eat them completely, leaving only petioles and veins. Complete eating of the crown leads to the death of the young plant. To combat the pest, calcium arsenate is used, which is sprayed on the tree.

It is widespread in the European part of Russia. The caterpillar rolls the leaves into a tube.

– the common peeler feeds on ash leaves, completely destroying them.

The most dangerous enemy of this tree is. When it appears, all trees are affected. The caterpillars penetrate the buds and petioles of leaves, and after a few days they develop into shoots.

Ash fruits are affected by weevil -. The larva lives inside the seeds. Dark small dots appear on the infected seed. In May, beetles begin to eat the fruits.

Chemicals are used to control all insect pests.

If stored improperly, mold will form on the fruits, caused by certain types of fungi. To prevent it, fruits are stored in a dry room, with an optimal humidity of no more than 12%.

In winter, the seeds often serve as food for bullfinches and squirrels. Rodents eat fallen fruits.

The ancient Greeks believed that the juice of the leaves of this plant healed wounds from poisonous snake bites. The sap of the branches was dropped into the eyes to improve vision and give them shine. A decoction of the fruit was used to enhance sexual desire. In Rus', the bark of the tree was used as an antimalarial and antifever agent.

In the 19th century, it was common to use the word “ash” in the feminine gender.

You can see what an ash tree looks like in the photo presented on the page below.

Ash(Fraxinus) is a genus of deciduous plants of the olive family (Oleaceae), which has about 70 species, distributed mainly in temperate zone Northern Hemisphere, less often in subtropical and tropical zones. Ash grows singly or in groups in mixed forests, often together with oak and other deciduous trees, less often with conifers. Sometimes it predominates in the species composition, forming ash forests.

The height of the tree is up to 30 - 50 m, the diameter of the trunk is up to 1.5 m. The crown is elongated-ovate, highly elevated with age, widely rounded with curved young branches. The bark of young trees is greenish or light brown, becoming gray or brown with age with distinct shallow cracks.

Norse myths describe the ash tree as "a mighty tree that supports the heavens, and underground its roots reach to hell." The ash tree is a member of the olive family, although its fruit is a dart-like flying seed. Ash is widely used in making food containers because the wood is tasteless. Admiral Richard Byrd wore snowshoes made from ash during his polar expeditions. The first windmills were built using this type of wood.

Ash is a modest neighbor of oak, which for some reason has not become so famous, although it deserves all sorts of praise. Not inferior to it in strength and hardness, richness of texture, it is significantly superior to it in long-term resistance to deformation and impact strength. Therefore, it is ideal for the manufacture of stairs, flooring, and other interior details. Its disadvantages include a large gradation of color (due to the wide sapwood), but sometimes this can be considered an additional advantage. Currently, ash is increasingly becoming fashionable among furniture makers and parquet manufacturers. However, the wide distribution of this breed is limited by the fact that it is offered little on the market. Regarding consumer qualities, we can say that ash, with standard care, lasts a long time and does not present any surprises. Cracking practically does not occur even with not very competent drying. The cost of products made from it is close to the cost of products made from oak and beech.

Types of ash

Tall ash, or ordinary(Fraxinus excelsior) - distributed throughout Western Europe, in the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. In Russia - south and west of the Volga, in the Caucasus. It grows in oak forests on dark gray loams and podzolized chernozems, often in river floodplains. Distributed in beam (bairak) forests located along a beam network (beams, dry valleys, hollows), in forest-steppe zone and the northern part of the steppe. Tree 25-45 m high, trunk diameter up to 1-1.5 m.

Manchurian ash(Fraxinus mandshurica) - a tree with an unusually slender columnar trunk and a highly raised crown, up to 25-35 m in height. The diameter of the trunk reaches up to 1-2 m in some specimens. The bark is gray or brownish, almost smooth from a young age, later - in frequent shallow thin longitudinal cracks, and even in old trees it is not rough. Another Far Eastern species is common ash (Fraxinus rhynchophyla), up to 10-15 m high, growing in the lower tier of broad-leaved (mainly oak) forests, often on the edges and in river valleys. Rarely found in cultivation in the European part of Russia.

Sogdian ash(Fraxinus Sogdiana) - found singly or in groups in floodplains in the Pamir and Southern Altai, at an altitude of 1000 - 2000 m, a low-growing plant (sometimes in the form of a bush).

Curved ash(Fraxinus Raibo-sagra) is found in the Caucasus. In the Mediterranean, Asia Minor and Central Europe, flowering ash, or white ash (Fraxinus omus), is common, with a peculiar low-hanging, often spherical crown and beautiful multi-flowered dense and fragrant inflorescences. This species, like common ash (Fraxinus ohusagra), is used in landscaping and protective plantings in the south of Russia.

White American Ash(White Ash), botanical name: Fraxinus spp. Distributed in the Eastern USA. The height of the ash tree varies from 25 to 35 meters with a diameter of 0.6 to 3 meters. Ash makes up 4.6 percent of all industrial hardwoods in the United States.

Some species of ash are rare. One of them, Siebold ash (Fraxinus Sieboldiana), has a very narrow range. It is found only on o. Kunashir (Kuril Islands).

Ash is a gas-resistant plant. 1 kg of its leaves can accumulate and chemically bind 10-12 g of sulfur dioxide over a season.

Ash forests are plantations with a predominance of ash. They are mostly mixed, complex in composition and 2-3-tiered. In Europe they consist mainly of tall ash, in North America - of white or American, lanceolate or green and Pennsylvania or downy ash, in Russia (in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories) - of Manchurian ash.

In Russia, ash forests occupy over 700 thousand hectares, which is 0.1% of the total forest area of Russia, including about 200 thousand hectares in the European part and 500 thousand hectares in Far East. Ash wood reserves in these plantations are estimated at approximately 120 million cubic meters. m (0.1% of total reserve). Of these, there are about 300 thousand hectares of mature and overmature forests (0.1% of the total area of mature and overmature forests), in which a timber reserve of about 50 million cubic meters is concentrated. m (0.1% of mature and overmature wood).

In addition to significant industrial value, ash forests have great environmental, water protection, water regulation, bank and slope protection colmatation significance, and in a number of places they have a spawning protection function.

In ash forests, clear-cutting is predominantly used, however the best ways harvesting - selective and gradual felling of low and medium intensity.

Ash wood structure

Ash belongs to the core ring-vascular species. Due to the differences in the structure of late and early wood, the annual layers are clearly visible in all sections. On a cross section in the late zone of the annual layers, small vessels are visible as individual light dots or short winding lines (at the outer border of the wide annual layers). The core is light brown, the sapwood is wide, yellowish-white, gradually turning into the core. The medullary rays are visible only on a strictly radial section in the form of small shiny lines and dots.

The texture of ash is determined in longitudinal sections by the width of the annual layers, the difference in the color of late and early wood, as well as the core and sapwood. Besides, important role cut vessels in the late and early zones play a role in the formation of ash texture. Core rays have virtually no effect on the texture (unlike oak), with the exception of strictly radial cuts. In the butt part of large trees, wavy curling occurs. In a radial section, this texture is especially beautiful. The shine of ash wood is lower than that of conifers, but somewhat better than that of oak. The reason is that anatomical irregularities (mainly cut vessels) in longitudinal sections (especially radial ones) do not allow obtaining a mirror-like surface. The advantage over oak is that the vessels have a smaller diameter and the medullary rays are almost invisible. With the most careful surface finishing, the height of these irregularities will be at least 200 microns. These irregularities create glare and reflections, which significantly reduces the gloss of the wood.

The density of ash wood is 680 kg/m3. Ash wood has significant uneven density: the density of late wood is 2-3 times higher than the density of early wood. Between the core and the sapwood of ash there is a ring-shaped layer of mature wood, which in color and physical properties is practically no different from the sapwood. It is characterized by lower humidity compared to sapwood and sharply reduced permeability to gases and liquids, due to the absence of living cells and blockage of water-conducting elements.

Freshly cut ash wood has an average moisture content: Manchurian ash - 78%; tall or common ash - 36%. Moisture and water absorption of ash wood is significantly lower than that of conifers due to the greater density of the wood. When using protective coatings, products made from it practically do not change their moisture content during operation, so ash is ideal for parquet. However, high density also leads to greater shrinkage and swelling. Ash is a species with severe drying. Significantly larger than coniferous species, and internal stresses arising during the drying of ash lumber.

The air permeability of ash wood is significantly lower than that of pine (about 20 times). Much the same can be said about water permeability. Thanks to this, its wood, like oak, is difficult to impregnate with various protective substances.

In addition to its beautiful texture and color, ash has very high strength properties. It surpasses oak in these indicators and is second only to hornbeam. In terms of long-term resistance to deformation, ash has no equal among domestic species.

Since the core rays of ash are much smaller than those of oak, and make up only 15% of the volume of wood (for oak - 36%), ash splits much more difficult than oak.

The ash core has a greater (6 - 8%) density and higher strength indicators, but the sapwood is more flexible and elastic, therefore it is preferable to use sapwood for the manufacture of bent parts.

Ash is quite difficult to process with cutting tools, and this is explained not only by its high density, but also by its characteristics anatomical structure its wood. The coefficient that takes into account the influence of the wood species on the cutting force (for pine is taken to be equal to 1) is equal to 1.75 for ash. For comparison, this coefficient for oak is 1.55. The periods of durability of a cutting tool (characteristics of tool dullness) correspond approximately in the same way.

The ability to hold fasteners (nails, screws) is significantly higher than that of all domestic species, including oak. Ash wood belongs to the group of resistant to biological effects (fungal damage). Moreover, biostability increases with the age of the tree. More biostable wood in the lower (butt) part of the trunk.

Characteristic defects of ash wood for middle zone Russia are frosty cracks resulting from harsh winters and, as a consequence, the development of internal rot, traction wood and wavy siloness in the butt part of the log. Burls are found on ash trees, but much less frequently than on birch and walnut trees. The knotiness of ash and oak is approximately the same. The ash trunk makes up from 55 to 70% of the total biomass of the tree, roots - 15-25%, branches - 12-20%. The ratio is the same as that of oak.

Application of ash wood

Less beautiful wood species and plywood are finished with veneer made from ash wood and its roots. Ash wood has high impact strength, bends well (especially sapwood parts), does not produce flakes, and is therefore widely used in the manufacture of sports equipment.

In a number of European countries, ash bark, buds, leaves, and flowers are used as medicinal raw materials. The dried juice called "manna", which is secreted by the ash flower, or manna, is included in the pharmacopoeias of some Western European countries.

Ash is a technical species, and the bark, wood, roots, and leaves of this tree are in demand in industry. Blue, black and brown paints are made from the bark and leaves and used as a tanning agent; Fresh and dry leaves serve as good feed for livestock.

In England unripe fruits collected and immediately marinated (in vinegar with pepper and salt). They are served as a spicy seasoning for vegetable and meat dishes instead of capers. In the Caucasus, unripe fruits are pickled in a similar way and used in food as a hot spice. Young green seeds after salting have the taste of pickled walnuts. They are used as a spicy seasoning for appetizers, first and second courses.

Ash wood, which has high physical and mechanical properties, finds the most wide application. It is used to make veneer, bent and carved furniture, cut out light aircraft propellers, railings and parquet, body sides, trim, window frames and carriage sofas, some parts of looms, butts and stocks. firearms, hunting and combat bows, sports equipment - skis, tennis rackets, baseball bats, hockey sticks, billiard cues, oars. Beekeepers made fairly capacious hives from the bark of large ash trees.

Since ancient times, strong clamp pliers and axes have been cut out of ash stumps. But strength is not the only advantage of root wood. Artists and sculptors are more attracted by the variegated layering and silkiness of twisted fibers, which form a very beautiful texture. The wood of ash root looks like the wood of an olive tree. It sands well, polishes and paints evenly. Having uprooted the ash stump, wash the roots and saw it into pieces. If the tree was recently cut down, then the roots are debarked and, having covered the ends with lime, they are dried in piles in the air under a canopy.

Ash is a tree popular all over the world, its species grow in different parts globe and have been used by people since ancient times.

Nowadays, its wood is also used on the farm, but living plantings are no less actively used in landscape design.

Ash - general description

The tree belongs to the Olive family, class Dicotyledons. It has a huge number of varieties depending on the region of growth. But they are all collected into a single group: ash belongs to the genus of the same name.

Trees of this genus are characterized by a powerful root system that does not have a taproot. The bark has an ash-gray tint, closer to the soil it is covered with small cracks, but higher up the trunk it is smooth. The trunk reaches a meter in diameter and is covered on top with a highly raised, wide, rounded crown. They are formed from thick arched, curved shoots directed upward. The height of ash is 25-35 m, but some specimens can reach 60 m.

Did you know? Exploring the etymology of the name of the tree, Vladimir Dal claims that it comes from the word “clear”, “light”. This is due to the fact that the tree’s crown is sparse, so sunlight easily passes through it.

The apical buds are formed larger than those on the side, but they are all black with small inclusions. Leaves up to 40 cm grow unequally pinnate, opposite on 7-15 leaflets 4-9 cm long. These leaflets have an entire wedge-shaped base, sessile, glabrous on top and dark green. Marked by a depressed vein in the middle and whitish protruding veins below. The stalk is pubescent at the top, grooved, semicircular. Drops leaves late autumn still green.

How ash blooms depends on the specific type of tree, but almost all flowers are scentless and have no perianth. Collected in bunch-shaped compressed panicles on branches without leaves. Female inflorescences grow longer than male ones and grow side by side on the same tree. It also bears bisexual flowers. Accordingly, they can have either one pistil, or two stamens, or both at the same time. Flowering occurs from April to May, before the leaves bloom. Female flowers ripen earlier than male ones, so pollination occurs at the expense of other trees.

Ash fruits are oblong, elliptical or lanceolate, rounded at the bottom and notched at the top. They grow up to 4.5 cm in length. The nut is almost half the length of the lionfish, oblong, grooved, flat. They ripen in September-October, but stay on the tree for a long time, falling off only towards the end of winter or spring. IN winter period They are readily eaten by birds and rodents.

All types of ash are photophilous and frost-resistant, although they may suffer from spring frosts. Grows well in fertile soils, preferring neutral and moist soil. It can live 300 years, but bears fruit at the age of 25-40 years. It grows along roads, in plantings, parks, forests, more often in forests, less often in floodplains.

Types of ash

The tree grows in different climatic zones Worldwide. Having adapted to them, it gradually changed. Today, there are dozens of different species of ash trees. Let's look at the most common of them.

This species grows up to 30 m in height, although on particularly fertile soils it can reach 40 m. The crown is formed high and openwork. The bark of young trees is smooth gray-green, but with age it turns gray and becomes cracked. From blackish velvety buds, odd pinnate leaves grow into 7–15 small leaflets. They are lanceolate in shape, serrate along the edge, and sessile. They are light green below and bright green above.

Blooming ash is covered with small bisexual flowers, which have a bipartite stigma and two stamens. They are formed on the shoots of the previous year and decorated in bunches. Flowers appear before leaves, in April-May.

By autumn, winged fruits up to 5 cm in length appear in their place. At first they are green in color, then gradually turn brown and ripen by autumn, but stay on the branches all winter.

Common ash belongs to the Olive family. The homeland of this species is considered to be Transcaucasia and Europe, but it is also found in the North Caucasus and Iran. Prefers slightly alkaline fertile soils of mixed and deciduous forests. After cutting the tree, abundant growth forms on the stump. It is also found in Crimea and southern parts of Ukraine, but is grown there mainly as an ornamental plant.

White ash (floral)

Appearance of this ash treeIt is distinguished by a low-set, rounded and well-branched crown. The tree sometimes reaches a height of 20 m. Its branches are greenish-gray, covered with black-brown buds with light felt pubescence, standing opposite.

Compound leaves consist of 5 – 11 leaflets up to 10 cm long and 4 cm wide. They are supported by short brownish petioles with grooves. They have an ovoid shape, pointed, serrated along the edge. The base may be unequal, wide and slightly rounded. They have a bluish-green tint on top, which becomes lighter at the bottom. Brownish hairs are observed at the base and along the main veins.

Did you know? Sweetish juice flows from the cut branches of this type of ash, which hardens in the air. This is the so-called manna, from which hard sticks are prepared, suitable for consumption as a mild laxative, which can also be used to treat coughs. It contains mannose, sugar, polyhydric alcohol beckons. Coumarins are present in the bark and flowers.

An ash tree of this species has multi-flowered inflorescences up to 12 cm in length, their typical description is a green calyx divided into four triangular lobes, a corolla with four white lanceolate petals, which is longer than the calyx.

The anthers are located on long filaments, the pistil has a bipartite stigma and a long style. Unlike most ash species, this species blooms flowers after or simultaneously with the appearance of leaves. The fruits are obovate, oblong lionfish, 0.5 cm wide and 3 cm long. Ripen by the end of August.

Did you know? Ash has a strong and elastic wood, which in former times was used to make hunting tools and military weapons. Clubs, spears, and bows were made from it, which were distinguished not only by their strength, but also by their elasticity. Today wood is also actively used. Baseball bats, billiard cues, skis, racing oars, gymnastic bars - that's not all that is made from ash wood.

This species can be found in Turkey, Southern Bohemia, Austria, Italy, Spain, the Balkans, sometimes in Lebanon, Western Syria, and Transcaucasia. It is grown on an industrial scale only in Sicily.

A tree of this species grows up to 40 m in height, forming a wide ovoid crown. Young branches are covered with light down, have a greenish-brown color with a reddish tint, and with age they become shiny, bluish or brown, but more often light orange.

The leaves of American ash are large, up to 30 cm in length.

The leaflets that make them up (on average 7 pieces) have solid serrated edges, oblong. They are 5 cm wide and 15 cm long. Dark green above, light green below, smooth, with a cellular structure and depressed veins. Dioecious flowers have pistillate inflorescences and grow up to 10 cm. Dense with a clearly visible calyx. They appear before the leaves in April–May.

Did you know? The fruits of the tree consist of 30% fat, so it was eaten not only by birds and rodents, but also by people. Back in the 18th century in England, its unripe fruits were preserved and then used as a spicy seasoning for meat and vegetable dishes.

Ash produces fruits in the form of cylindrical lionfish, reaching a length of 3.4 cm, nuts make up almost half of its length. They ripen from August to October, spreading from September to November as they ripen.

Ash lanceolate (green)

A deciduous tree of this species, although it grows only up to 15 m in height, but forms into a powerful plant with a round, wide, light crown on high raised branches with grayish-green or gray bark. The odd-pinnate opposite leaves appear earlier than in other species and fall off early.

The characteristics of this type of ash tree are also not distinguished by the decorative nature of its flowers. They are located at the ends of shortened shoots in the form of panicles or bunches and appear before the leaves. In their place, fruits are formed - winged nuts or achenes.

Important! Ash grows quickly, reaching a height of 60 m. The average age of the tree is 300-350 years. This must be taken into account when choosing a place for planting, so that the tree does not interfere with other plants or buildings over time.

Its homeland is considered to be North America, where it was cultivated in the 18th century and spread throughout the world. It grows in damp hills, on the banks of reservoirs, and in deciduous forests. Grows quickly and likes light colors open areas, moist soils with high calcium content. In a year he can gain 45 cm in height. Frost-resistant, mature trees easily tolerate frosts down to -40°C. But at the same time, spring frosts can harm it. When planting this ash tree on your site, keep in mind that it does not like pruning.

This deciduous tree grows up to 25 m in height, forming an oval, wide crown. It is quite thick, which is not typical for ash trees in principle. The shiny green bare shoots eventually change the color of the bark to dark gray.

The leaves of this species are up to 25 cm in length, odd-pinnate, compound. They are formed from leaves of 7-15 pieces up to 8 cm long. The base is narrow, wedge-shaped, lanceolate in shape, and the apex is pointed. The edges are serrated, lighter at the bottom, darker at the top. The leaves are almost leathery, sessile, arranged in opposite pairs.

Flowers appear on last year's shoots. They have no perianth and grow in racemes from the axils of leaf scars.

They appear not in April, as ash usually blooms, judging by the descriptions of other species, but in May. That's why frost damage is extremely rare.

Important! Ash pollen is a strong allergen. It can cause contact dermatitis.

The fruits are lionfish up to 4 cm in length. They have a sharp or rounded top, oblong. The seed nest occupies more than half the length of the lionfish. The fruit is oblong, convex, ripens in September.

Grows mainly in Southern Europe and North Africa. It is highly decorative.

Another name for this ash is Pennsylvania ash. Grows up to 20 m in height, forming a picturesque spreading crown irregular shape. It reaches 12 meters in diameter. Young shoots of this type of tree have felt pubescence and are covered with brown-brown bark.

What does an ash leaf of this species look like? These are 5-9 separate leaves, which are painted in a dark green matte color on top, and have a grayish-green tint below. Even in autumn they practically do not turn yellow, but fall green. The flowers of the plant are yellow-green, flat, round in shape. The tree grows quickly. In a year it can add 30 cm in width and 50 cm in height. Lives approximately 350 years.

The species must be grown in light and in fertile soil. The tree is demanding of moisture, so it requires regular watering. At the same time, it is frost-resistant, but northern regions may suffer from frost. North America is considered its homeland.

It’s not hard to guess where this species came from. Manchuria, as well as Korea, China, and Japan are considered its homeland. Prefers mixed and broad-leaved forests, preferring the proximity of Japanese elm and Maksimovich poplar. Loves fertile soils where it grows very quickly. Average age- 350 years.

This is a dioecious tree, which is covered with male and female flowers, although sometimes bisexual inflorescences with 2-4 stamens are also found. It has a straight trunk, from which branches grow obliquely upward. It can reach a height of 35 m, a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 meters. Forms an openwork, highly raised crown.
The bark with thin cracks and longitudinal ribs is 3-5 cm thick, brown or gray shade. Thick young shoots are covered with dark brown or dark yellow bark. The buds are bare, almost black. The leaves form 7-15 leaflets up to 9 cm wide and up to 12 cm long. They have a pointed wedge-shaped base, a serrated edge and an elongated end.

But before the leaves appear on the tree, flowers bloom on it. They appear in May, and by September fruits appear in their place - these are flat lionfish 10 mm wide and 40 mm long with a flat seed. At the beginning of the ripening period they are green, and towards the end they acquire a brown tint.

Distributed in the eastern part of North America, where it abundantly covers the banks of streams and lakes. Loves mixed stands of swamps; pure stands are rarely formed. Accordingly, a slight stagnation of water is not dangerous for him. By the age of five years, the tree grows up to 1.9 m in height, with young plants growing faster. Has high winter hardiness. Does not bloom.

Usually, no matter what type of ash it is, it is valued for its durable wood with a beautiful texture. Black ash is especially valued for its unusual wood color - indeed, almost black in color. But at the same time it is lighter and less durable. Therefore, it is more often used in interior decoration.

The use of ash in landscape design

Due to its high decorative qualities, ash is used not only for reclamation or protective afforestation, but also for the use of wood in furniture production, as well as for use in landscape design.

For this purpose, decorative varieties of wood are used, which look great in landscape gardening ensembles. Since it tolerates places with polluted air and compacted soils, it is often planted along roads, in city parks and gardens. Most often used for this ordinary ash , which looks perfect in alley planting.

American ash is highly decorative, but it often suffers from pests. Narrowleaf is prized for its fast growth and the voluminous size it can achieve if well cared for. Used both in single planting and together with other foliage plants.

Ash has many types and forms that grow all over the world. Wood is valued for its high decorative properties, which is why it is actively used in landscape design. Some especially decorative varieties are planted not only in parks and alleys, but also alone.

Also valuable is its wood, which is durable, flexible, and in the case of black ash, highly decorative. The main advantage of wood is that it tolerates contaminated soil very well. environment and does not require maintenance.

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