The ash tree, which grows up to 40 meters high, provides pleasant shade with its broad crown in summer. But not the branches but the green foliage protects against the sun. The ash also contributes to health. Find out more about the leaves of the deciduous tree on this page and learn to distinguish an ash from other deciduous trees based on the optical characteristics.
Ash trees have ovate leaves
Optical features
- imparipinnate
- 7-11 single leaves each on a petiole
- ovate leaves
- sawn leaf edge
- Upper side of leaf dark green, smooth
- Underside of leaf light green, red hairs on veins
- 30-40cm long
- tapering
Characteristics of different ash species
Depending on the ash species, the leaves differ somewhat in shape, color and arrangement.
- Black ash: green, up to 20 cm long, imparipinnate, 5-9 single leaves on a petiole, leaf margin serrated, ovate
- Pumpkin ash: glossy green, up to 40 cm long, 5-9 individual leaves on a leaf stalk, imparipinnate, serrated leaf edge, tapering to a point, ovate
- Texas ash: green, imparipinnate, 5-7 single leaves on a leaf stalk, up to 20 cm long, serrate leaf margin
- Arizona ash: 10-15 cm long, imparipinnate, 3-7 single leaves on a petiole, lanceolate in shape, leaf margin serrate, both leaf sides are hairy
time of expulsion
Unlike many other deciduous trees, the ash does not sprout until very late in spring. The buds have long since formed by this point and will open even before the leaves appear.
Peculiarity when dropping leaves
The ash is the only deciduous tree that sheds its leaves when they are green. A symbiosis with bacterial microorganisms makes this unique property possible.
use in medicine
People have been using ash leaves for medicinal treatments since ancient times. The best known is probably the tea made from ash leaves, which you can easily make yourself. To do this, collect a few leaves of the ash tree in June, which you can easily recognize by the characteristics mentioned above. Remove the stems and let the leaves dry. Finally, scald them with hot water. This tea has a diuretic and slightly laxative effect. Thus, ash leaves prove to be a natural home remedy for constipation.