Velvet ash is a highly adaptable landscaping tree species

Velvet ash (Fraxinus velutina) is a deciduous tree in the genus Fraxinus of the family Oleaceae, named for the dense down covering its young twigs, leaf stalks and the undersides of its leaves. It is native to North America, and after being introduced to China it has shown good adaptability. Today it is cultivated in many northern cities as well as in some coastal saline-alkali areas, making it one of the more valued landscaping tree species in the genus Fraxinus.

In terms of form, velvet ash has a fairly straight trunk, an open crown and dense branches and leaves, giving good shade. Its leaves are odd-pinnate compound leaves, usually with three to five leaflets whose edges bear fine serrations; in autumn the foliage turns yellow, giving it a certain seasonal ornamental value.

The greatest characteristic of this tree species is its strong adaptability. It likes light but tolerates some shade, has a well-developed root system, is relatively cold- and drought-tolerant, and is not demanding about soil, growing normally even on mildly saline-alkali land. It is therefore often used as a street tree and shade tree, and is also suitable for greening factory and mining areas as well as afforestation and improvement of saline-alkali land.

In terms of cultivation and management, velvet ash is generally transplanted before bud break in spring; after planting it should be watered thoroughly to settle the roots, and once established it requires relatively extensive care. Appropriate watering and fertilizing during the growing season, along with timely pruning of dead branches and pest- or disease-infested branches, is sufficient. In daily care, attention should be paid to controlling leaf-eating pests and trunk-boring pests; if they are dealt with as early as possible after being found, the trees will maintain good growth.