Common Name: Narrow-Leaved Ash

General Information

Fraxinus angustifolia is a deciduous tree that usually grows 18 - 24 metres tall, occasionally reaching 30 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. The wood is of high quality and is harvested on a commercial basis; the leaves have a long history of herbal use and are also harvested on a commercial basis[].. The tree is increasingly being grown in plantations, and is also grown as an ornamental[].
Fraxinus angustifolia is widespread across the Northern Hemisphere and, although the population is declining due to ash dieback disease, population declines are not currently as high as those seen for Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and the species may well be spared such high decline rates in the future. As current evidence does not indicate it is likely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category, the plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Southern Europe - France and Portugal to Ukraine and Greece; W. Asia - Turkey to Afghanistan and Pakistan; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

Habitat

Mostly dryish rocky places in macchie, deciduous scrub or in pine and mixed forest; at elevations from 650 - 1,700 metres in Turkey[]. Broadleaved deciduous woodland habitats, preferring areas along rivers where flooding may occur[]

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Fraxinus angustifolia is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[]. The young growth in spring however, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[].
Prefers a deep loamy soil, even if it is on the heavy side[, ]. Most members of this genus are gross feeders and require a rich soil[]. Plants succeed when growing in exposed positions[] and also in alkaline soils[]. They tolerate atmospheric pollution[].
This species is closely related to Fraxinus excelsior[].
A very ornamental tree[], there are several named forms, selected for their ornamental value[].
This species might be dioecious, in which case male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

The fruit is used as a condiment[, ].

Medicinal

The leaves of both this species and Fraxinus excelsior have a long history of herbal use that continues to the present day in many European countries. The leaves are antirheumatic, astringent, cathartic, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, laxative and purgative[, , , , , , ]. They are used in the treatment of various conditions, and are also said to enhance urinary and digestive function[]. The have been used as a laxative, making a mild substitute for senna pods[].
The leaves should be gathered in early summer, well dried and stored in airtight containers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Fraxinus angustifolia is a post-pioneer forest tree with a colonizing behaviour and an important species for maintaining temperate forest habitats[].
Fraxinus species in general are gross feeders with an extensive, fibrous root system, which makes transplanting easy, but means that other species will often not grow well if planted nearby, especially if they are shallow rooted[],

Other Uses

A valuable hardwood[].
We have no more specific information on the wood, but this species is very closely related to Fraxinus excelsior and its wood is very similar. The description of Fraxinus excelsior wood is as follows:-
The wood is light in weight, hard, strong, flexible, and resilient. A very valuable wood that is tough and very durable, it is much used for tool handles, oars, furniture, posts etc[, , , , , ].
An excellent fuel, burning well even when green[]. There is some doubt over how well the green wood burns with several people claiming that it needs to be properly seasoned[].

Propagation

The seed is best harvested green - as soon as it is fully developed but before it has fully dried on the tree - and can then be sown immediately in a cold frame[]. It usually germinates in the spring[]. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as possible in a cold frame[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions or a nursery bed in late spring or early summer of the following year.
If you have sufficient seed then it is possible to sow it directly into an outdoor seedbed, preferably in the autumn. Grow the seedlings on in the seedbed for 2 years before transplanting either to their permanent positions or to nursery beds.