The ash is one of the best-known deciduous trees in Germany. In addition to the important economic importance due to the good wood properties, the healing properties of the leaves and seeds and the eye-catching fruits, the flower is rather inconspicuous, but still has many interesting properties. Find out more about the blossom of the ash tree here.
The ash blossoms quite inconspicuously
features
- either hermaphroditic or unisexual
- relatively small
- quite a lot of flowers on one inflorescence
- greenish colored
- lateral panicles
heyday
The ash produces flowers very early, even before the leaves sprout. The buds are spherical to ovoid, black shoot tips with a thickness of 5 mm. The flowering period is usually April and May. From August, small nut fruits develop from the previous flower.
pollination
An ash tree only becomes fertile, i.e. able to reproduce, at the age of 20 or even 30 years. In view of the old age that an ash tree can reach (up to 300 years), this is not at all surprising. In the case of unfavorable conditions, for example little light influence due to the growth in the stand, the maturity is delayed to 40 to 45 years. The seed is dispersed by the wind.
Beware of pollen flight
The blossom of the ash tree is quite inconspicuous with its green color, but the optics are deceptive. As an allergy sufferer, you certainly know only too well when the ash tree starts to bloom. The pollen trigger violent reactions. These are classified as strong. To make matters worse, the ash also blooms at the same time as the birch, so that the symptoms are sometimes even more serious.