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Fraxinus ornus

Fraxinus ornus

Manna ash, South European flowering ash

Description

Fraxinus ornus (manna ash) is a small to medium sized deciduous tree, but on nutrient poor, shallow, rocky soils it is more like a big shrub rather than a tree. The manna ash develops a rounded, slightly conical and irregular crown shape, approximately eight to fifteen metres high and wide. It was first described by the Swedish botanist, Carl Linneaus in 1753. Fraxinus ornus is native to southeast Europe and Asia-Minor where it is growing on dry and exposed rocky cliffs, dry scrubby woodlands together with Amelanchier ovalis, Cotinus coggygria and Quercus pubescens. This tree could develope a single stem, however it could also be seen as mulitstemmed tree after pollarding, which means it takes some pruning and serious pollarding.

White fragrant flowers are blooming in panicles in May and beautifully covering the whole tree, which is the most ornametal feature of this species. The flowers of Fraxinus ornus are providing nectar for many insects, while the tree itself supports a great number of birds and smaller mammals to nest and hide. The compound leaves are pinnate with 5-9 leaflets, which are dull green and somewhat shiny. During autumn the foliage turns in different shades from yellow to crimson or orange. Fruits are 2-3 cm long samaras, dispersed by the wind later on in winter. The bark is smooth, greyish coloured and peeling in small pieces at a later age.

Fraxinus ornus is future proof tree, growing on various soils and rocks from alkaline to acidic. Once established it requires no watering, surviving the hottest months without any problem. Also wind and roadsalt are no problem for the manna ash. In rich, deep soils it can reach a decent size if it is planted on full, baking sun to let the new shoots ripen, also to get the best autumn colour. The manna ash could be used in medium to larger gardens and parks, but also on more challeging site in paving, for example wide streets and squares. Even on roofs and in containers it will stay perfectly happy.  

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees characteristic trees woodland planting stock

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

avenue square car park / parking lot park central reservation in containers roof garden large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones coastal area

Pavement

none none open open sealed sealed

Planting concepts

eco planting solid planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

rounded rounded wide oval wide oval

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

8 - 15 m

Width

6 - 12 m

Winter hardiness zone

7A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind slightly tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

very dry dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees birds small mammals

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution tolerates heat not susceptible to ash dieback

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Fraxinus ornus? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

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Seasonal colours

Fraxinus ornus seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

panicle striking big scented

Flower colour

cream-white

Flowering period

May

Leaves

Leaf colour

matt green buds bright green

Leaves

deciduous ovoid lanceolate serrate pinnate composite

Autumn colour

yellow-orange orange orange-red red-violet

Fruits

Fruit colour

red-brown

Fruits

striking rich fruit yield winged raceme

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

grey

Twigs

bare

Root system

Root system

shallow extensive highly branched

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
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