Botanical Name: Fraxinus velutina
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Common Name: Arizona or Velvet Ash  
Plant photo of: Fraxinus velutina
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

25-40'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

Grey

 

Fruit Color

Green

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Lawn, Parking Strip, Street Tree

 

Special Uses

Shade Tree

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Modesto Jr. College
  • Description

  • Notes

Velvet Ash has a rounded rounded canopy that provides deep shade during the summer, but has an open winter shiloutte in the winter, allowing for winter light. It has glossy, bright green, finely serrated leaves that turn yellow and gold in the fall. The bark is grey and becomes furrowed with age. Grows to about 30 to 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide.
WARNING: Emerald Ash Bore have been identified in Colorado; this is a highly destructive invasive pest and has caused significant damage to ash trees throughout the eastern United States. Go to utahpests.usu.edu for more information. Tolerant of high pH soils and heat. Like other ashes, the leaves are pinnately compounded, so when the leaves fall, the little leaf stems also drop, resulting in a very clean winter shiloutte and less twigginess to catch snow. Native to Texas, southern New Mexico, and Nevada. Hardy to 0 degrees. Clusters of pale green winged seeds (on female trees) are enjoyed by birds.