Fraxinus angustifolia

Common Name: raywood ash

Family Name: Oleaceae

Botanical Name: Fraxinus angustifolia

Synonyms:

Botanical Synonyms: Fraxinus oxycarpa var. angustifolia

Sub Species:

Variety:

Forma:

Cultivar: 'Raywood'

Characteristics: The Raywood Ash is a fine-textured, fast growing, deciduous tree, which is capable of reaching more than 25 m (80 ft) in height, but will more commonly be 15-20 m (40-50 ft) tall (1). Branches are generally thin producing a fine textured canopy. The bark of the tree is a shade of light grey. Compared to other trees, the Raywood Ash has a smooth texture without very many grooves or bumps on the surface. The young trees are upright with an overall oval canopy form. The leaves, which are pinnately compound and narrow, turn various shades of red to purple before falling in autumn (1).

Compound: Fra ang Ray

Geographic Origin: Mediterranean

Ecozone Origin: Palearctic

Biome Origin:

Natural History:

The straight species of this cultivar is native to the Mediterranean. The cultivar has many adaptations typical of a Mediterranean species but is widely used in cultivation throughout the western United States (2). The Raywood ash (originally named Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywood') is a more narrow-leaved ash cultivar, originating from an Australian selection in the early 20th century (4). The original parental stock plant was found within a group of other ash trees near Sewell's nursery in South Australia around 1910 (4). The tree was later grown at a property called "Raywood", after which the cultivar derived its name (4)

Cultivation Notes: The Raywood Ash can live in wet sites but they will perform much better in well-drained conditions. The Raywood should be grown in full sun and is moderately drought-tolerant once established (3). Surface roots can be a problem on wet sites and on clay soil but otherwise are grown in a range of soil from sand to clay (1). The Raywood Ash is reported to be seedless so the usual mess created by other ashes is absent. The trees are very susceptible to damage from ice loads.

A unique characteristic of the Raywood Ash is that it is tolerant of pests. However, there is a possibility of borers, which include worms, beetles, and other insects. These borers can cause possible damage to parts of the tree (1). Additionally, it is best suited to USDA hardiness zone 6. As such it should be planted in a much cooler microclimate if grown in USDA7 and higher.

Ethnobotany: Raywood ash (Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywood') is most popular as an ornamental tree because of its versatility to a number of different environmental conditions and it vibrant fall color. The fruit from the Raywood ash are not edible and are not known to cause allergies in humans (3).

Height: 20 - 50 feet

Width: 16 - 20 feet

Growth Rate: Moderate Growing

Grow Season: Summer

Flower Season: Spring

Color: Green

Function: Shade

Spread: Spreading

Allergen: Non-allergenic

Invasive: Benign

Toxicity: Benign

Hardy: Tender