Characteristics and Planting Applications of Fast-Growing Ash

Fast-growing ash is a deciduous tree of the genus Fraxinus in the family Oleaceae, generally referring to fast-growing strains selected and bred from common ash. It retains the straight trunk form and strong adaptability of ash, while growing noticeably faster, and is a commonly used tree species for landscaping and timber in many regions of China.

In appearance, the bark of fast-growing ash is mostly grayish brown, with opposite pinnately compound leaves; the leaflets are elliptical or ovate-lanceolate, the branches and leaves are dense, and the crown is broad. In autumn the leaves turn golden yellow, giving a fine ornamental effect. It prefers light and is cold-tolerant and drought-tolerant, and it also has a certain adaptability to saline-alkali land and moderately mildly polluted urban environments. It is therefore often used as a street tree, shade tree and shelterbelt species, and can also be used for greening saline-alkali land and for fast-growing timber cultivation.

For cultivation, fast-growing ash should be planted on plots with ample sunlight and good drainage; it can be transplanted in both spring and autumn, and after planting it should be watered thoroughly to settle the roots. During the young tree stage, attention should be paid to trunk-training pruning to develop a straight main trunk, and moderate watering and topdressing during the growing season help the tree grow vigorously. In routine management, watch for trunk-boring pests such as longhorn beetles, and deal with insect holes promptly when found to reduce damage to the tree.

Compared with common ash, fast-growing ash has a shorter timber-producing cycle and produces landscaping results more quickly, and so has attracted attention in the nursery stock market. When selecting seedlings, it is advisable to take local climate and soil conditions into account, choose healthy plants with good trunk form and well-developed roots, and buy seedlings through proper channels to ensure variety purity and a higher survival rate.