What soil does European ash grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, calcareous.

Is European ash hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should European ash be planted?

Plant it at least 4 m from buildings. Keep it at least 2.5 m from paving.

When does European ash flower?

Flowering: April–May, green, purple.

How much water does European ash need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does European ash cost?

It sells for roughly €3.10 to €26 in local shops, depending on size.

What should I plant instead of European ash?

We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens. For a similar purpose we recommend: Dawn redwood, European beech, Horse chestnut, Katsura tree.

European ash

Fraxinus excelsior

European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is a large tree. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about €3.10. We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens.

Illustration of European ash — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A native forest tree of huge size: its loose, domed crown of pinnate leaves reaches 20 to 40 metres in time, and the black winter buds make it easy to recognise. Besides the species, weeping ('Pendula'), yellow-twigged ('Jaspidea') and globe-headed ('Nana') forms are sold, but the species is too big for an ordinary garden, its seedlings come up everywhere and its pollen is strongly allergenic. Planting a new one is no longer worthwhile, because ash dieback ruins most trees within a few years and nothing can be done against it: if you want a native ash, the manna ash, which resists the disease, is the better choice.

We do not recommend this plant

We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens. Further down we show what to plant instead.

Watch out for

Ash dieback (the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is killing European ash on a massive scale in Central Europe: shoots wilt, branches die back, the bark discolours, later the root collar rots and the weakened tree can fall. Young trees die quickly, old ones decline for years; there is no effective treatment and researchers are still only searching for resistant trees. The Asian emerald ash borer is also approaching from the east and kills an infested ash within a few years. Branches can break in storms and under snow, and female trees shed masses of seed, so seedlings need regular weeding.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: High
Size after 10 years: 7 m × 4 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, green, purple

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	7 m × 4 m
Ultimate size	20–40 m × 15–25 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, green, purple
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	High
Root aggressiveness	Medium
Suckering	no
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	at least 4 m
Distance from paving	at least 2.5 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	1200 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €3.10

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

What to plant instead

Recommended plants that do the same job, with similar characteristics.

Dawn redwood

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 8 m × 3 m after 10 years

Dawn redwood is a deciduous conifer: its soft, ferny, fresh green needles turn copper and orange-brown in autumn and then drop together with the short…

Large tree

Full sun

from about €24

European beech

Fagus sylvatica 5 m × 3 m after 10 years

A huge woodland tree with smooth grey bark and deep shade that makes a fine specimen in a large garden and, when clipped, a classic hedge: the hedge…

Large tree

Full sun

Part shade

from about €2

Horse chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum 5 m × 3.5 m after 10 years

A huge park tree with deep shade and upright white flower candles in May that bees readily visit. It suits only a really large garden with moist, deep…

Large tree

Full sun

Part shade

from about €210