Belongs to: woodland

Ash Fraxinus excelsior


Best time to see: all year

Key facts

A spreading tree with smooth grey bark and ascending branches, up to 45m; pinnate leaves have up to 13 leaflets

Small reddish flowers in clusters open in April before the leaves; winged fruit ripen in October

A woodland tree preferring heavy, alkaline soils and comparatively short-lived – usually not more than 200 years


© Tony Gunton

© Tony Gunton