What is made from ash. American ash: where it grows, description, photo
In many countries it is used as ornamental plant. It has minimal maintenance and watering requirements. Its main feature is the serious pests that settle inside the wood. But if you plant the plant correctly, care for it and control its growth, any illness can be prevented.
Ash is a fairly common plant. He's different various types, which are growing all over the world. Ash is used as an ornamental plant for a personal plot, and its wood is also used on the farm. The tree comes from the class Dicotyledonous and is a member of the Olive family. The ash tree has more than one root; it has branched rhizomes, stretching for huge territories, while releasing many basal young seedlings.
The bark is different gray with an ashen tint. From above, the entire trunk is smooth, pleasant to the touch, going down closer to the base of the root, it acquires age-related cracks brown tint. The ash tree grows into a huge tree - its trunk diameter is 1 meter. The branches form a luxurious bright green ball-shaped crown. Almost all shoots, when growing, take on an arched structure, stretching upward.
The average height of the plant is 20-35 meters; in the wild, trees can stretch up to 60 meters high.
The inflorescences of the tree are represented by small panicles. They can be of different shades - burgundy, white, purple. The plant is bisexual, but the flowers different genders bloom in different times, so there is a danger of not getting fertilized seeds.
In living nature they distinguish large number varieties. All of them are highly resistant to drought and are not susceptible to severe frosts. The most famous of them are:
- Ordinary - grows up to 30 m, the crown of the tree is located high, takes on an openwork shape. Grows well in slightly alkaline soils. It can be seen in the Caucasus, Iran, and Transcaucasia.
- Floral (white) – the crown is low. The tree takes the form of a pubescent ball. The plant grows no more than 20 m. Türkiye is considered its homeland, but can also be found in Australia, Western Siberia, Spain, South Bohemia.
- American - a tall tree reaches 40 m, takes on the appearance of a slightly elongated ovoid shape. Young leaves and petioles are covered with a little fluff; with age, the softness disappears.
- Lanceolate (green) - a small tree up to 15 m. The branches are strongly raised, well fluffed in different sides, which form a light, well-ventilated ball shape. Withstands up to -45 C. Rejects any type of pruning.
- Narrow-leaved. The crown of the tree is wide, oval, and dense. Used as a decoration to decorate personal plots in America and Southern Europe.
- Fluffy - stretches up to 20 m, opening into spreading branches of an untidy shape, which can take up to 12-13 m in diameter. Long-lived - can live more than 350 years.
- Manchurian - the diameter of its main trunk reaches 1.5 m, extends to a height of 30-35 m, the crown is raised high above the ground, with an openwork beautiful structure.
- Black - grows well in marshy areas, as well as on the coasts of rivers and lakes. It is distinguished by the almost black color of the wood.
Thus, ash not only has a large amount different types and types, but also scattered throughout to the globe. Trees differ in various categories– from the shape of the crown to the shade of the bark.
Landing: terms and rules
Planting an ash tree on your site is not difficult. To grow it you will need to fulfill several requirements:
- The soil must be fertile, loose, well permeable to moisture and air necessary for the root system. It is desirable that the substrate is well drained.
- It is best to choose a soil substrate that is neutral or slightly acidic. Strongly acidic and excessively alkaline soils are absolutely not suitable for ash. In such soils it root system will not develop, which will cause the death of the plant.
- You should choose a sunny site for placement, without shading by other tall trees.
Before planting, the soil should be fertilized with calcium. But before adding, the soil should be well moistened, but not brought to a swampy state. The soil should be prepared 2-3 months before the planned event. This is necessary so that the soil is saturated with micronutrients. Optimal timing for planting young seedlings - beginning autumn months. When choosing ash seedlings, you should carefully consider the planting material.
The cuttings must have a healthy appearance, the bark must be free of unnecessary cracks, growths or other unusual qualities, the trunk is smooth and straight. The root of the future tree should have elastic roots and a light, branched root system.
Landing rules:
- When planting, a hole is dug 3 times larger than the earthen ball of the selected seedling.
- Drainage is poured at the bottom of the pit. It can be poured using pebbles, broken bricks or expanded clay. Pour in such an amount of drainage that it fills the hole by 1/4 of the total volume.
- A layer of humus or manure is laid on top of the drainage.
- After this, 10-15 cm of earth is poured. Only then is a lump of earth with the root system of the seedling placed. If there is no soil on the roots, then the roots should be carefully leveled and sprinkled with soil.
For rapid growth and expansion of the crown, you should know some of the nuances of its cultivation. If you follow simple rules, then in a few years you can admire the beautiful tree.
Ash prefers abundant watering, but if it is clear that the ground no longer absorbs the supplied moisture, then irrigation should be stopped.
Excessive filling of life-giving water is required only during hot summers and severe drought. The main thing is that you should not water in the middle of the day, during the midday sun rays. They can cause burns on the leaves through droplets of water that fall on the surface of the greenery. The same effect is achieved when watering during a strong wind.
When planting a young tree, holes are laid out in the recess. They last for a maximum of 2 years. After this period, fertilizing should be done every autumn and spring:
- Spring - a solution of urea (15 g), manure (2 kg), calcium nitrate (25 g) and ammonium nitrate (25 g), diluted in 10 liters of water (bucket).
- Autumn - nitroammophoska, in a volume of 20 g, diluted in 20 liters of water.
Although ash does not like pruning, it should still be done in spring period. The procedure is carried out until budding. Sanitary and formative pruning is performed. All branches that were broken during the fall-winter period, mechanically damaged, dried out on their own, or were damaged by pests or diseases must be removed.
In addition, the crown is formed - the trunk is cut to a level above the ground of 3 meters. Afterwards, all weak and thin branches are cut off. Thus, it provides complete care for the tree. Ash is not a capricious plant, so it will survive just fine without pruning or watering (if it reaches groundwater).
All problems leading to diseases and pests come from improper care and control over the condition of the plant. Most often, ash is affected by the following diseases:
- Cytophomus cancer - if you place a tree in swampy areas, with high humidity, the plant is affected by a fungal disease. Wood suffers from it. It is necessary to cut down diseased trees and burn them quickly so that they do not have time to infect other specimens.
- Infectious necrosis is a disease caused by a fungus. With it, entire strips of bark die off over large areas. Spraying with iron sulfate (3%) in the spring, using Bordeaux mixture during the growing season (1% solution), fertilizing.
- White butt rot, finely cracked in nature, cannot be detected without cutting down the plant. Affects the core and root system. Interior rapidly deteriorates, turning into dust. Enters wood through cracks and scratches. The disease is caused by a fungus. Struggle - covering up garden varnish, monitoring the condition of the bark, pruning rotten areas to healthy territory.
Thus, if you monitor the ash tree, you can replace the appearance of diseases or pests in the first stages of identifying symptoms. Accept immediately necessary measures fight and save the plant from significant pruning or complete death.
Ash can be used in many ways. It is not only suitable for landscaping for decorative purposes on your own plot next to the house, but also for the production of wooden furniture, for protective and reclamation afforestation.
For use as decoration, ash trees are planted in park areas or on viewing platforms. It perfectly tolerates polluted air saturated with exhaust gases and vapors. Therefore, it is recommended to grow it near roads, for fencing urban gardens or parks.
The main advantages of plants for use in design are ease of care and minimal requirements for placement.
Different varieties are used for planting in alleys. Lanceolate or regular ash looks good. In addition, they look good when placed next to small bodies of water.
Looks interesting when planted alone American ash. For large-scale mixing of different tree varieties, a narrow-leaved variety is suitable. It is worth noting the quality of ash wood. It is valued for its elasticity, flexibility and originality. color scheme. The black variety of ash stands out especially.
More information can be found in the video:
All over our planet grow a variety of plant crops. And a significant number of them have long been used by people for medicinal purposes. Based on them, a variety of drugs were prepared that helped cope with even very serious diseases. Small herbs, large bushes, and even big trees. The ash tree, familiar to all of us, can be classified as one of the latter. Let's talk about the features of this culture and its unique qualities in a little more detail.
Ash is a fairly common tree in the vast expanses of our homeland, and historically it has found its use in all areas where this crop grows, including for the treatment of various kinds of diseases.
This is ash (photo):
What does ash look like? Description of the tree
The height of an ash tree can reach thirty meters. This plant is quite easy to recognize, thanks to its characteristic pinnately dissected leaves and specific black dots. Ash leaves are opposite, they develop exclusively after flowering. The foliage on the branches alternates crosswise; one branch can have from seven to thirteen leaves.
Most often, ash flowers do not have a corolla or a calyx, but they have stamens painted red. Flowers are collected in bunches.
On ash trees, fruits are formed that have a winged tongue; they are located in hanging panicles. At first their color is green, and then changes to brown.
The plant begins to bloom in April, and the fruits on it develop only in November.
Where does ash grow in nature?
Ash can be found in Europe and Transcaucasia; it also grows in the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. As for Russia, this tree is found quite often here. Its range includes European part states. Ash can also be found in Crimea and Moldova, and grows in Ukraine and the Caucasus.
Most often, this culture settles on a variety of soils, including wetlands. The usual neighbor of the ash tree is alder. This tree is not inclined to form pure stands, becoming part of broad-leaved and mixed forests. It can be found in cutting areas or clearings.
How to improve your health using ash? Use for treatment
Unique medicinal qualities ash is determined by its well-balanced composition. Main active substances This culture is considered to include essential oils, tannins, coumarins, resins, bitters, flavonoids, and gum.
Ash has long been used in traditional medicine recipes; our ancestors used it almost entirely - leaves, bark, roots, flowers and seeds. Medicines for fever and various inflammatory processes were prepared on its basis. Preparations from this tree also have excellent astringent qualities. They help speed up the healing of various wounds and are characterized by diuretic properties. Consumption of ash-based medicines helps to cope with painful sensations of various etiologies, as well as achieve a mild laxative effect.
Different parts of this tree can be used to prepare infusions and decoctions; powder and medicinal tea. Decoctions of the leaves are often recommended for use in preparing compresses intended for the treatment of radiculitis, osteochondrosis, and rheumatism.
A decoction prepared from fresh leaves is excellent for treating wounds, bruises and severe bruises. Such remedies and compresses remarkably eliminate unpleasant painful sensations, cope with increased swelling and significantly accelerate the healing process.
To correct pyelonephritis, cystitis and urolithiasis, it is worth consuming an infusion prepared from ash roots. This remedy also helps to cope with uterine bleeding and hemorrhoids.
Ash preparations are also quite often used to eliminate helminthic infestations. There are recipes that allow the use of similar drugs in cough therapy.
Tea brewed from ash leaves is used to achieve a diuretic effect. This product is great at removing excess fluid from the body. Regarding the powder obtained from the seeds of this tree, then it also has a diuretic and, in addition, a diaphoretic effect.
An infusion based on ash buds is recommended to be taken to treat gout. Besides similar remedy helps cope with illnesses bladder and originally women's diseases. A mixture made from different parts plants, can be used to treat arthritis.
Additional information
It must be taken into account that even though ash has a number of most useful qualities However, this plant is poisonous. Accordingly, its use is possible only with extreme caution; in addition, such therapy requires agreement with the attending physician. Among other things, ash-based preparations are strictly contraindicated for hypertension, pregnancy, and exercise. breastfeeding. You also need to consider the likelihood of developing allergic reactions.
The silent but awe-inspiring ash tree has been a symbol of justice and security for many centuries. Ancient Greek artisans made spears from its wood, as well as handles for various types of weapons. Painters loved to depict the warlike goddess of retribution with an elegant branch of this perennial plant. At the same time, some peoples believed that its juice was deadly poison for the most dangerous snakes on the ground. A shirt soaked in such a liquid was a real body armor for a valiant warrior.
For rheumatism, healers advised rubbing sessions with a decoction of buds and bark. An infusion of the leaves served as an antipyretic.
Craftsmen greatly valued ash wood. Many household utensils, as well as rural tools, confirm this. Dried bark was also used to make beehives. Large plates were connected into a volumetric cylinder, and a cone-shaped lid made of the same material was attached on top.
Rendezvous with Ash
These monolithic representatives of the Olive family are found in the territory temperate latitudes. Southern and central regions Russia, as well as Ukraine, are rich in entire groves/forests consisting of such giants. About 50 varieties of this woody plant Hundreds of naturalists are exploring with unabated excitement. When meeting an ash tree for the first time, many note its delightful features.
Tall
The average height of these rocks is 12-15 m, and the maximum is 30 meters. However, separate decorative types(for example, the Griffith variety) grow to only 1.5 m. There are also 40-meter giants that are more than 100 years old. One of them is growing serenely in Uzhgorod.
Openwork crown
The crown of the ash tree is formed by arched long branches, which is why it has a spreading character. Thanks to tall The crown of the tree stretches out and forms an original dome in the form of a pyramid. Its luxurious openwork structure is provided by leaves located on the branch opposite each other. They are oblong in shape and medium in size. Photons of light shine through their translucent canvas, creating an unforgettable spectacle. A barely perceptible breath of wind, and these rays begin to play with completely new special effects.
Extravagant “earrings”
Add vivid description The ash tree is definitely needed for its inflorescences and fruits. In April and May, you can witness this spectacular extravaganza of colors. Different species of the Olive family can have snow-white, burgundy or even purple flowers in the form of panicles. All these “decorations” look amazing on completely bare grayish-brown branches.
After a few weeks, leaf buds appear on the shortened shoots. From the flower tufts, achenes develop that resemble moth wings. There can be up to 50 such plates on one branch. These chic “earrings” create an amazing look for the plant.
After all, on the same tree, male and female flowers ripen at different times, so they do not have time to exchange genetic information. Unfortunately, these panicles do not attract insects.
What is hidden from view
The whole secret of the lush luxury of this perennial plant is hidden in the ground at a depth of no more than 1.5 m. It is the root system that supplies the rock with reserves of moisture and nutrients. In most species of this family it does not have a taproot. As a result, the rhizome does not grow very deeply, spreading only on the surface. However, plants can adapt to environment. Then they sprout a central rod that sends out shoots. They can find moisture even at a depth of 3 meters.
It is not worth trimming the branches of a woody plant to form the correct crown. It is better to carefully remove dried areas or sprouts.
A worthy exhibit for the garden
Creating a landscape interior on personal plot, it is important to give a special place to ash. It will fit perfectly into the local garden color, and most importantly, it will delight all its neighbors with its grandeur and beauty. Choose specific type The breed should depend on the goals pursued by the gardener. Here are some of the options:
- tall specimens with a pyramidal crown are suitable for monumental/single exhibits;
- low-growing, horizontal and spherical varieties are a godsend in creating hedges;
- Weeping varieties, the branches of which are unusually curved, like those of a willow, will add extravagance to the garden.
To plant these amazing ash trees, you need to find a flat area and preferably without shady places. However, the soil should be sufficiently moist, but without the formation of stagnant water. After all, these plants tolerate drought without problems, and also frosty winters. The key to active and successful development of a tree largely depends on planting a seedling.
You should avoid planting ash in saline areas. You can give preference to areas with a high calcium content. In this case, the acidity of the soil should vary within 6-7 pH.
Soil Features
When purchasing a seedling, you need to pay attention to what form it is in. The roots should be hermetically sealed with an opaque material or in a container. Before planting, you should soak the rhizomes, saturating them with moisture. In turn, the hole will need to be made 33% larger than the earthen ball of the seedling’s rhizomes.
The fourth part of it should be filled with drainage, consisting of:
- crushed stone;
- pebbles;
- coarse sand.
Thanks to this “cushion”, each layer of soil will dry out evenly. Moreover, there will be no seals on which salt formations settle. Moisture will not be able to accumulate in the roots, which can lead to souring and rotting. The composition of the soil substrate should include:
- one part sand;
- two parts of humus;
- 1 teaspoon of deciduous soil.
After this, the area around the trunk must be covered with mulch (layer height - 15 cm). It can consist of either peat or wood chips. The first four days the seedling needs abundant watering. If possible, the area should be weeded, deepening the hoe no more than 7 cm.
It is recommended to apply at the beginning and end of spring. IN autumn period The plant can be fed with solutions of Kemir (universal) or nitroammofosk. On winter period you need to wrap the trunk with burlap.
Such precautions apply only to 3-year-old copies.
It is worth considering that loose soil will certainly sag after planting. For tall trees this is a disaster. Therefore, the roots need to be planted 10-20 cm above the horizon.
The mighty ash tree also has many enemies. These include the bark beetle, ash blight, and branch/trunk cancer. Growths, rot and other formations can be safely removed by treating the wounds with a solution activated carbon.
All other pests must be eliminated using insecticides. As a result of such careful care, the ash tree will grow large (up to 5 meters at home) and healthy.
History of the ash tree - video
“I asked the ash tree where my beloved is...” sings the hero of one of the most popular and beloved films by viewers. Have you ever wondered what kind of tree is ash? What does it look like and where does it grow? Maybe it is growing right under your window, and you don’t even know about it? Let's try to figure it out.
Description of the tree
To know what it's about we're talking about, you need to understand what an ash tree looks like. It is extremely beautiful, first of all, thanks to its leaves, which are so thin and delicate that you can see the sun's rays through them. Light penetrates through the leaf, which is why the tree has such a cute name. According to Dahl's dictionary, the word "ash" comes from "light, clear."
Ash - deciduous tree, so it changes its leaves every year. In general, there are about 60 species of this plant in the world, the largest of which is white ash. This is a very powerful tree. Its leaves resemble bird feathers with a symmetrical structure.
The ash tree blooms its flowers even earlier than its leaves. Dark brown or purple flowers are collected in bunches of several pieces. Most often they do not have a corolla and a calyx, but there are several stamens, which are distinctive feature tree.
It’s better to see once than to hear many times, so it’s worth taking a close look at the photographs, which will show better than any words what ash really is.
Growing environment
Ash loves moist, spacious places with warm climate. It can often be found near various reservoirs, rivers and other places with high humidity. As for the terrain, of course, you won’t find it in places with sharp continental climate, because he is very thermophilic.
Many ash trees can be seen in Ukraine, Moldova and the Caucasus. It can be found in Crimea, Asia Minor and the European part of Russia. Most often, ash grows in mixed forests, he likes to be next to alder. It is also found on large glades and in the clearings, where there are a lot of sunlight. No wonder people fell in love with the ash tree. Where it grows is always the most sunny place, and there is water nearby.
Mythological ash
This tree has been loved by man since ancient times. Many ancient people even believed that their ancestor was the ash tree. A description of this interesting judgment can be found in the poet’s poem Ancient Greece Hesiod's Works and Days. It is on the pages of his work that it is said how the ancient Greek gods found two trees: ash and alder - and created from them, respectively, a man and a woman, endowing them with body, soul, feelings and mind. Even in the paradise of Ancient Greece, ash continues to live and delight those who come to this place with its beauty.
In Lithuania, this tree symbolizes the righteous and clean life. Ash appears in Lithuanian fairy tales, legends and stories. In addition, many peoples treated ash very favorably, loving and honoring this tree. Perhaps only the oak tree surpassed him in power, but not in beauty.
Why do we love ash so much?
It is not for nothing that the ash tree has been distinguished among others from time immemorial. There are many reasons for this. The first, very important one is its beauty and nobility. Ash trees were planted where it was necessary to give a noticeable and extraordinary appearance to a city, village or town. Alleys and parks were planted with ash trees, so that later, walking along them, one could enjoy their beauty. This plant has always been deservedly considered and considered valuable breed trees.
In addition to its external beauty, ash is popular because of its resistance to frost, negative external influence bad environmental conditions, exhaust gases, soil compaction. It is planted along roads.
In addition to the above advantages, ash is widely used in folk medicine. He is calmed down with a decoction nervous system, treat dysentery, gout. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties, is indispensable for rheumatism, kidney stones, arthritis and is an excellent diuretic.
In spring, ash, like birch, produces delicious sweet sap that can replace sugar for diabetics.
Ash is also loved for its wood, which is very strong and elastic. Since ancient times, warriors made weapons, bows, spears and clubs from it, which withstood military campaigns, participating in even the most difficult battles. In Rus', dishes, rockers, hoops and even wheels were made from it. Modern athletes also use sports equipment made from ash: excellent quality skis, racing oars and gymnastic bars.
Furniture made from this wood is simply magnificent. This wood is easy to process, polishes well and hardly deforms during use. Its fiber pattern is very beautiful, it’s not for nothing that it’s this one tree species was chosen for the furniture of the Kremlin Palace.
Ash fruits
The ash tree begins to bear fruit in mature age- 20-30 years. Its fruits are called lionfish and are especially striking in winter, when they are not blocked by leaves. Every year, ash trees are literally strewn with seeds, which bullfinches and other birds, as well as mice, feast on. Even horses are fed lionfish, primarily because they are very nutritious and contain a lot of protein.
Many people also use ash fruits for food. For example, in England they are collected and pickled, thereby making an appetizer for main courses. In the Caucasus, lionfish are also prepared in a similar way. The end result is spicy delicious seasoning, which has valuable properties and contains vitamins. In general, ash is a relative of the olive (the Ash genus belongs to the Olive family), so you shouldn’t be surprised why its fruits are so tasty.
Growing Ash
Ash is a tree species that is very sun-loving, so for planting it you should choose places with good access to sunlight. The soil should not contain a lot of salts and should not be too wet. Also, ash trees do not like to be planted too densely, so you should take care of this in advance by planting the trees at a distance of at least 5 meters from each other. Before planting, the tree should be kept in water and then watered regularly for the first 3 days. If the summer is dry, it is advisable to water regularly, otherwise watering twice a day throughout the summer is sufficient.
In order for the tree to grow beautiful and healthy, it is advisable to feed it with various fertilizers and timely treat it against harmful insects. If you follow all these rules, it will grow powerful and tall.
Conclusion
Look at the ash tree, the photo of which is presented below.
Isn't it great? You can relax in its shade, enjoying the coolness; you can make many useful and necessary things from its wood; it will help improve your health and allow you to taste a delicious and unusual fruit snack. You can also talk to an ash tree as if you were talking to best friend. Which, incidentally, is what the hero from the Soviet film beloved by millions of people did.
Common ash(tall ash) - Fraxinus excelsior L. People call it goat tree. The plant belongs to the olive family - Oleaceae.
Ash leaves - Fraxini folium (pharmacy name). Leaves are used for medicinal purposes compound leaves plants and bark.
Description
Ash can reach a height of 30 m. It is easily recognized by its pinnately dissected leaves and the presence of black dots. The leaves are opposite, develop only after flowering, alternate crosswise on the branches, and contain from 7 to 13 leaves. Basically, the flowers do not have a corolla and a calyx, but they do have red stamens. The flowers are in bunches.
Fruits with a winged tongue are found in hanging panicles. Initially, the color of the fruit is green, and then brown.
The plant blooms in April and fruits appear in November.
Habitat
The homeland of this plant is Transcaucasia and Europe, right up to Iran. Ash can be seen in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Ukraine, and Moldova.
The plant prefers oak-hornbeam and oak forests, especially wet areas on the banks of streams and rivers, damp forests of plains and mid-elevation mountains.
Compound
The plant contains the following substances: resin, rutin, quercitrin and other flavonoids, coumarin, gums, essential oil and tannins.
Application and medicinal properties
In folk medicine, tree bark powder, decoction and infusion are used. This plant is used in folk medicine as an antifever, wound-healing, tonic, astringent and antitussive agent.
In the Caucasus, a decoction of this plant is prescribed for ascites, diarrhea, and as an anthelmintic.
Experts prescribe seed powder as a diaphoretic, diuretic, and laxative.
IN Central Asia An infusion of the leaves of this plant is used as an astringent.
An infusion of the fruit can be used to treat nervous disorders. The leaves of the plant are often added to a variety of blood purification preparations, as experts have discovered that they have a slight laxative effect on the body.
Tea made from ash leaves has a slight diuretic effect and is prescribed to treat diseased kidneys that cause water retention in the body. The kidneys are not irritated, but begin to work more actively.
It is recommended to collect leaves that have fully developed, but are still young. The leaves must be dried in a darkened room. If the room has artificial source heat, do not dry leaves at temperatures above 40°C.
Contraindications
There are also contraindications. Since common ash may be considered poisonous, do not exceed the recommended dose for treatment.
- Ash leaf tea is used to treat gout and rheumatism. It is prepared this way: take 1/4 liter cold water, pour 2 tsp. with the top of the leaves, heat to a boil and then boil for about 3 minutes. Then the resulting drink must be cooled and strained. You need to take 3 cups every day.
- For the treatment of rheumatism and gout, it is recommended to extend the course of treatment to 14 days, drinking two cups of the medicinal drink per day. This tea also has a slight diuretic effect.
- To ensure that the wound quickly heals with fresh cuts, ash bark is used. To do this, you need to take fresh tree bark and apply the juicy side to the wound. It is recommended to change the bark 2-3 times a day.