Ash is one of our most recognisable native broadleaf trees. It's valued for its wildlife benefits and strong, flexible timber. Although ash creates bright, open habitats where wildflowers and wildlife thrive, it faces significant challenges from ash dieback disease.
Ash tree facts and figures
- Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) have a life span of around 300 years.
- Its natural range is Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa.
- These tall, domed trees can reach up to 40 metres in height.
- Its winged seeds are known as helicopters because they spin like propellors when they fall.
- Ash is one of the last trees to leaf in spring and one of the first to drop leaves in autumn.
How to identify ash trees
Heading out into the forest? Here are the top things to look for to help you recognise an ash:
- leaves: three to six opposite pairs of oval leaves per twig with one leaf at the end.
- twigs: smooth with black leaf buds and dense clusters of small, purple flowers.
- seeds: clusters of winged seeds called keys.
- bark: smooth and greenish-grey, turning more grey and fissuring with age.
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Did you know? In Norse mythology the mighty ash was seen as the tree of life.
Ash trees and wildlife
Ash trees support more species than almost any other native tree. Their light, open canopy lets sunlight reach the floor, helping wildflowers to thrive. In turn, these rich ground habitats then attract insects, birds and mammals, who eat the ash seeds.
Ash leaves feed a range of caterpillars, while lichens and mosses flourish on the bark. The tree’s structure provides good nesting and shelter opportunities too. Together, these features make ash an important part of healthy, diverse woodland ecosystems.
Uses of ash timber
Ash is widely grown for its durable, flexible and attractive timber. Ash is strong and it takes a very heavy blow for it to shatter, making it ideal for tool handles such as axes and spades.
It also makes good oars, flooring, hockey sticks and rackets, alongside skis, coaches, carts and farm implements.
Did you know? In ancient times ash was thought to have healing powers and its excellent firewood was burnt to drive out evil spirits.
The threat of ash dieback disease
Ash dieback is a highly destructive disease caused by a fungus that originated from Asia, named Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (also known as ‘chalara’).
It can kill young and coppiced ash trees quickly, with older trees able to resist it for longer. The disease has serious implications for woodland biodiversity due to the number of insects, lichens and mosses dependent on ash as its habitat.
Managing ash dieback
Infected trees can become very dangerous as the branches die, particularly on footpaths and roadsides where falling limbs could cause terrible accidents. By removing affected trees, we can replant new species that are resistant to the disease.
We also continue to manage ash and allow healthy trees to germinate, so that naturally resistant trees can eventually recolonise our woodlands.
Frequently asked questions about ash
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is a native broadleaf tree commonly found across England in woodlands, hedgerows and parks. It is known for its open canopy, black winter buds and winged seeds called 'keys'.
You can identify ash by looking for:
- compound leaves with 9-13 leaflets in opposite pairs.
- black buds in winter.
- smooth, grey bark when young, becoming fissured with age.
- hanging clusters of winged seeds that spin as they fall.
Ash trees grow across England, particularly on well‑drained soils in woodlands, farmland and along hedgerows.
Ash dieback is a disease caused by a fungus that affects ash trees. It can cause leaf loss, crown dieback and the death of the tree. It is widespread across the UK.
No. While many ash trees are affected by ash dieback, some show natural resistance. These trees are important for future woodland recovery.
