European Ash Fraxinus excelsior 'Westhof's Glorie'
ABOUT
The Fraxinus excelsior 'Westhof's Glorie', commonly known as the European ash, is distinguished by its robust and stately appearance. The plant exhibits a strong, branched structure that gives it a commanding presence in the landscape. Its leaves are arranged in pairs, opposite to one another, along the branches. Each leaf is comprised of multiple leaflets, usually ranging from 9 to 13, creating a lush, feathery look. These leaflets are elongated, with pointed tips and finely toothed edges, lending a delicate texture to the overall foliage. In spring, the European ash displays an array of small, purple flowers before the leaves fully emerge, adding a touch of color to the branches. These flowers eventually give way to winged seeds known as samaras, which dangle in clusters, swirling to the ground when they mature in autumn. The bark of the plant is another notable feature, exhibiting a coarse texture with deep furrows and ridges that become more pronounced with age. This rugged bark provides a striking contrast to the greenery of the leaves, especially during the winter months when the branches are bare. Overall, the European ash presents itself as an impressive specimen with its graceful leaves, textured bark, and seasonal changes that range from floral displays to the eventual show of seeds and winter silhouettes.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Oleaceae
Synonyms
Westhof's Glory Ash, European Ash
Common names
Fraxinus excelsior 'Westhof's Glorie'.
ToxicityTo humans
The common name for Fraxinus excelsior 'Westhof's Glorie' is the European ash. In general, the European ash is not considered toxic to humans, and there is no widespread evidence of significant toxic effects from ingesting parts of this plant. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities could potentially cause reactions in some people.
To pets
The European ash is the common name for Fraxinus excelsior 'Westhof's Glorie'. It is not typically considered toxic to pets; however, pets can also have individual allergies or sensitivities, so it is always best to prevent pets from ingesting plants not intended for consumption. If your pet has consumed part of a European ash tree and is showing symptoms of distress, consult a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Height
50 feet (15 meters)
Spread
30 feet (9 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Fraxinus excelsior 'Westhof's Glorie', commonly known as the European ash, adds aesthetic appeal to landscapes with its majestic size and attractive, dense canopy.
- Shade Provision: The European ash creates a broad, shady area underneath its canopy, making it an excellent choice for parks and large gardens to provide relief from the sun.
- Wildlife Support: It offers habitat and food for a variety of wildlife, including birds and insects, contributing to biodiversity.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, the European ash demonstrates a good level of drought tolerance, requiring less maintenance and watering.
- Fall Color: This cultivar of the European ash provides seasonal interest with its foliage turning to lovely shades of yellow and sometimes purple in the autumn.
- Soil Improvement: Leaf litter from the tree decomposes and enriches the soil with nutrients, improving soil quality over time.
- Erosion Control: The extensive root system of the European ash helps stabilize soil and control erosion, particularly in sloped areas.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Woodworking: The wood of the Fraxinus excelsior, commonly known as Ash, is highly valued for its strength, elasticity, and straight grain, making it an excellent choice for furniture, flooring, and joinery.
- Sporting Equipment: Ash wood is traditionally used for making sports equipment such as baseball bats, hockey sticks, oars, and cricket stumps due to its ability to absorb shock while remaining flexible.
- Tool Handles: The toughness and resilience of Ash make it ideal for tool handles, especially for high-impact tools such as hammers and axes.
- Musical Instruments: Ash wood's acoustic properties make it suitable for crafting musical instruments such as electric guitar bodies and drum shells.
- Food Smoking: Ash wood chips are sometimes used for smoking food to impart a light, unique flavor that is milder than hickory or oak.
- Beekeeping: Ash trees are good nectar producers, and they are often planted by beekeepers as a source of nectar for honey bees, which can produce honey from the pollen.
- Landscaping: Due to its aesthetic appeal and tolerance of difficult conditions, it is used for ornamental purposes in large gardens and parks.
- Environmental Management: Ash trees can be planted for reforestation and erosion control because their root systems help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
- Livestock Feed: In some parts of the world, the leaves of the Ash are used as fodder for livestock when other food sources are scarce.
- Tanning Leather: The bark of the Ash tree contains tannin, which can be extracted and used in the tanning process for making leather products.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Ash tree is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Ash tree is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Strength and Power: The European Ash, or Fraxinus excelsior, which 'Westhof's Glorie' cultivar belongs to, has traditionally symbolized strength and power due to its robust wood and towering presence.
- Protection: Many cultures have associated the European Ash with protection, using its wood for weapons and tools that defend and guard.
- Healing: The tree's leaves, bark, and extracts have been used in folk medicine, symbolizing healing and wellness.
- Transformation: In Norse mythology, the ash tree is linked to Yggdrasil, the World Tree, which embodies the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, hence symbolizing transformation and connectivity.
- Wisdom: Due to its connection with Yggdrasil, which is central to the cosmos in Norse mythology, the European Ash is also seen as a symbol of wisdom.
WaterThe common name for Fraxinus excelsior 'Westhof's Glorie' is the European Ash. This tree should be watered deeply and thoroughly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions to encourage deep root growth. Newly planted trees require more frequent watering, about once a week, with approximately 15-20 gallons of water, gradually reducing frequency as the tree becomes established. Established European Ash trees generally need less frequent watering—every two weeks or so—especially if rainfall is adequate. Adjust watering schedule based on weather conditions, watering more during dry spells and less during periods of high rainfall.
LightThe European Ash thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. This means the tree should be planted in a spot where it receives direct sunlight for at least 4-6 hours a day. The ideal position would be an open area away from large structures or trees that can provide excessive shade. Adequate sunlight promotes healthy growth and dense foliage.
TemperatureEuropean Ash trees can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but they grow best when the temperature is between 60°F and 80°F. They can withstand winter cold down to about -30°F and summer heat up to approximately 100°F. Placing the tree in a location with good air circulation helps to prevent temperature stress during extreme heat.
PruningEuropean Ash trees should be pruned to maintain their shape and remove any dead, diseased, or broken branches. The best time for pruning is during the dormant season, preferably late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Prune sparingly, up to once per year, to avoid excessive stress on the tree and to maintain its natural form.
CleaningAs needed
SoilEuropean Ash 'Westhof's Glorie' prefers a well-draining soil mix with loamy to sandy composition. The best soil pH for this tree is between 6.0 and 7.0, which is slightly acidic to neutral. Adding organic matter or compost can enhance soil fertility and structure, promoting healthy growth.
RepottingEuropean Ash 'Westhof's Glorie' trees do not commonly require repotting as they are typically planted directly into the ground. In a garden setting, these trees develop extensive root systems and can live for many years without the need for repotting.
Humidity & MistingEuropean Ash 'Westhof's Glorie' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and doesn't require specific humidity conditions. It's adaptable to the ambient outdoor humidity prevalent in its growing regions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Not ideal for indoor growth; needs space.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, ample space.
Hardiness zone
5-7 USDA
Life cycleFraxinus excelsior 'Westhof's Glorie', commonly known as the European Ash tree, begins its life cycle with seed germination, typically in spring when soil moisture and temperatures are suitable for sprout development. The seedling stage follows, where the young ash establishes its root system and begins to develop its first leaves and stem structure. As it enters the vegetative stage, the tree undergoes rapid growth, expanding both its root system and canopy, eventually maturing into a large deciduous tree with a broad crown. During the reproductive stage, flowers develop in early spring before the leaves; the tree is dioecious, so individual trees may bear either male or female flowers. After pollination, female trees produce samaras, or winged fruits, which disperse in the wind and give rise to new seedlings, continuing the cycle. Finally, the European Ash tree can enter a senescence phase later in life, characterized by reduced growth and vitality before eventually dying.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method for propagating the European Ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior 'Westhof's Glorie') is by seed. To propagate by seed, collect the winged fruits—often referred to as samaras—when they mature in late autumn. Clean the seeds by removing the winged part and then stratify them cold for approximately 1-4 months to break dormancy. Stratification involves mixing the seeds with moist sand or peat moss, sealing them in a plastic bag, and placing them in a refrigerator set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (about 4.4 degrees Celsius). After stratification, sow the seeds in a well-draining potting mix, covering them with about 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) of soil. The seedbed should be kept moist and will benefit from partial sun. Germination can be expected in the spring if the stratified seeds were sown outdoors in the fall or in a controlled environment after stratification.
