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 HUF 3,800 to HUF 84,000 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 HUF 3,800. 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 HUF 3,800

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 HUF 10,000

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 HUF 5,200

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 HUF 38,000

Katsura tree

Cercidiphyllum japonicum 5 m × 3 m after 10 years

An elegant, often multi-stemmed ornamental tree with heart-shaped leaves that open purplish, turn blue-green in summer and colour yellow, apricot…

Large tree

Full sun

Part shade

from about HUF 7,000

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
250 cm	approx. HUF 45,000
300 cm	approx. HUF 60,000
8/10 cm trunk girth	approx. HUF 40,000
10/12 cm trunk girth	approx. HUF 53,000
12/14 cm trunk girth	approx. HUF 84,000
size not stated	approx. HUF 3,800 – HUF 33,000

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

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European ash vs Manna ash European ash vs Narrow-leaved ash

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