Fraxinus chinensis subsp. chinensis
A dioecious, deciduous East Asian tree in Oleaceae with imparipinnate leaves 12–35 cm long and 3–9 leaflets, terminal or lateral panicles, and 2.5–4 cm spatulate samaras, found on slopes and along rivers at 800–2300 m across China and neighboring East Asia, valued for ornamental use and timber.
Common Names
Chinese Ash
Summary
Originating in East Asia, this deciduous tree has an upright habit, reaching 3–20 m with smooth gray bark and large, serrate leaflets; leaves are imparipinnate with 3–7(–9) leaflets, terminal leaflets 2–4(–6) cm broad, and panicles carry dioecious, wind-pollinated flowers followed by samaras 2.5–4 cm long. It occurs in montane woodlands, slopes, riversides, and roadsides at 800–2300 m, with distribution across China, Japan, Korea, Russia, and Vietnam.
In cultivation it prefers full sun and moderate moisture, tolerates soils from light loam to heavy clay and mildly alkaline conditions, and is urban-tolerant with ornamental value in gardens. Practical uses include timber for cabinetry and furniture, and bark used in traditional Chinese medicine; propagation is by seed, harvest green seed and sow immediately or after stratification (warm 30 days, cold 60 days), with germination in spring; seed is wind-dispersed via samaras, and hardiness generally spans zones 5–9.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
25-50 ft
Spread
25 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5-9
Sunlight Requirements
Full Sun to Partial Shade.
Soil Type
Deep loamy soil, moist but well-drained
Soil Drainage
Moist but well-drained soil (deep, loamy).
Soil pH
Mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soils.
Bloom Color
Green
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Green, dark green on upper surface, yellow in autumn
Fall Foliage Color
Vibrant yellow
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast growth in early years
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds and Cuttings
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, flies, birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Subspecies
- Publication
- Unknown
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Genus
- Fraxinus
- Species
- Fraxinus chinensis
Synonyms
Fraxinus chinensis var. rotundata Fraxinus lingelsheimii Fraxinus medicinalis Fraxinus yunnanensis Fraxinus rhynchophylla var. huashanensis Fraxinus sargentiana Fraxinus szaboana Fraxinus velutina