Everything you need to know about the American Ash

Trees are a basic decorative element of any garden. There are several sizes, so we can choose the one we like the most from a wide variety.

One of the most interesting is the american ash. It is very resistant to drought, grows in poor soils, and as if that were not enough, its autumnal coloration is magnificent.

Origin and characteristics of the American ash

Our protagonist is originally from North America. Its scientific name is ashinus americanaand belongs to the Oleaceae family. It has a reasonably fast growth rate, reaching 35 meters in height. Its leaves are deciduous, falling in autumn-winter, and sprouting again in spring. A noteworthy feature is that newer leaflets have a tendency to take on a very nice ivory color.

It blooms in spring, but you should know that it is necessary for there to be male and female specimens for them to pollinate. If there are, then during the summer the fruit will form, which is a samara about 5cm long, in which there are a dozen winged seeds.

In autumn he puts on his red suitmaking the landscape look spectacular. If you don’t believe me, take a look at this image:

This incredible tree has a life expectancy of 100 years, so if you are looking for durable plants … this is yours as well it is very easy to grow. You just have to locate it in a sunny area, and water it regularly avoiding waterlogging. Here are more tips:

How do you take care of yourself?

To have a well-cared for specimen, we recommend the following:

Weather

These trees They are from temperate and temperate-cold climates. They need to feel the passing of the seasons in order to grow, otherwise they would die. That is why they can only live in areas where springs and summers are mild, autumn cool with some frost, and cold winters with snowfall.

Location

For what was commented before, and for being a large species, you must place your copy outside, in full sunat a distance of at least ten meters from pipes and paved floors.

Earth

• the garden: grows in soils rich in organic matter, well drained and slightly acidic, although it tolerates neutral ones.
• Flower pot: During its youth it can be grown in a pot filled with a universal substrate or with a substrate for acidic plants. But when it reaches one meter in height, the ideal is to plant it in the ground.

Irrigation

The American ash does not withstand drought; Moreover, in its places of origin we will find it in the humid high areas, always near fresh water courses. Taking this into account, You have to water it very often: about 3-4 times a week in summer, and about 2 a week the rest of the year.

If you have it in a pot, during the summer you can take advantage of it and put a plate under it so that the substrate stays humid for a longer time.

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During the growing season (spring and summer) it is advisable to fertilize it with organic fertilizers. A regular contributionfor example every 15 days, of compost, guano, manure or earthworm humus, will make the plant grow with health and strength.

Pruning

Don’t need it. However, you can remove dead, diseased, and weak branches in fall when it runs out of leaves, or in late winter before it sprouts.

Do this with pruning tools previously disinfected to prevent infection.

Planting or transplanting time

In springwhen the frosts have passed.

If it is in a pot, you should pass it to a larger one every 2 years.

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds in autumn-winteras these need to be cold before germinating. For this you can do two things:

• If you live in an area with cold autumns and winters with frosts, plant them in pots with substrate for seedlings and let nature take its course.
• If you live in an area with a mild climate, it is better to stratify in the fridge for three months by putting them in tuppers with vermiculite and then putting this in the fridge, and then planting them in seedbeds in spring.

Rusticity

American ash resists frost down to -18ºC.

What uses is given to American ash?

It has several:

Ornamental

It is a tree of great beauty, perfect for spacious gardens. As an isolated specimen it is perfect, since in addition provides a nice shade.

Medicinal

By the way, did you know that it has medicinal properties? Yes Yes. The roots are used to lose weight and / or maintain weight, since they are diuretic and tonic. But they are also very effective in controlling sweat.

Wood

Timber used in the manufacture of hand toolsas well as baseball bats.

As you can see, the American ash is a tree for everything.

Did you know the incredible qualities of ash? What do you think?