Time to talk about trees...

This month I wish to look one of my favourite trees, the Ash (Fraxinus excelsior). It is one of the most dominant trees in the woodland and the fourth commonest species of tree in Britain. It is a broadleaf tree and therefore loses its leaves in the autumn, but it will leave its “keys” hanging on its branches for most of the winter and the seeds are therefore easily spread by the wind. It has a very distinctive compound leaf which is often one of the last trees to come into leaf. The leaves turn from green to yellow in autumn.

The buds of the Ash are black and make it very easy to identify in the winter. This may also be the reason why the Ash is so called.

The tree is much sought after by anyone who has a log burner or an open fire. As the tree can be burned green (unseasoned). The reason for this is that the Ash has a water content of 33% - which is the same percentage as a well seasoned oak log.

The Ash has high conservation value. The airy canopy and short leaf stay allow a lot of sunlight through to the woodland floor and hence a rich and varied ground flora can grow, such as wild garlic and dogs mercury. This also means plenty of food to allow a wide variety of insects and birds. In upland Ash woods the High Brown Fritillary butterfly may be seen. Birds such as Bullfinch enjoy the seeds and Woodcocks, Woodpeckers, Redstarts and the Nuthatch can find plenty of good nesting sites. In mixed Ash woodlands you may even see a dormouse!

People have used the hardwood timber of Ash for many years. Its timber is one of the toughest and a natural shock absorber. The wood can take a hard blow without splintering and so is used where strength and flexibility are needed.

Used for tool and sport handles: hammers, axes, spades, hockey sticks and oars. The attractive grain, the strength and the way it can be easily bent means that Ash is also widely used for furniture.

Old uses include skis, tent pegs, horse drawn coach and cart building and agricultural implements. In ancient Europe Ash trees were used to make spear shafts, household crafts, and bows.

In Greek tradition it was said that Zeus created humans from Ash trees. Yggdrasil was the Cosmic Ash upon which Odin hung for nine days until He discovered the runes. It was also the horse of Odin, who like the mare of Muhammad, bore him to the skies for a glimpse of heaven. On-Niona was the Gaulish Goddess of the Ash groves. The Irish word for Ash, Nion, was also the word for heaven, Nionon. The Icelandic word Aske meant “blaze of great fire”, Ash being one of the best fire woods as well as leading to the fires of enlightenment. Considered a Solar tree, its wood is used for the Yule Log. Druids carved charms from its wood. Ashen divining rods were cut on Summer Solstice. A Druidic Ash wand decorated with spirals was found on Anglesey.

The Ash therefore is a wonderful tree and one that is always a joy to work on, due to the way it grows it makes it very difficult to shape and leave with a natural look. Be aware that if you have one in your garden, it will get big, but if it does and you have a log fire, it will keep you in firewood for a long time!

Simon Zec
Treedom
Telephone: 01903 813 457
Mobile: 07941 622442

Return To News Page