In order to recognize an ash tree, its fruits serve as a helpful orientation. The small screw rotors, as they are also called because of their appearance, not only have an unmistakable appearance, but also stand out due to another special feature: they remain on the branches of the deciduous tree for a whole year. With regard to the distribution of the seed, there are some other interesting facts that make the ash an exception in the olive tree family. In the following article you can read what characterizes the fruits of the ash tree.
The fruits of the ash are nuts with wings
features
The fruits of the ash are small, winged nuts. In technical jargon, their appearance is referred to as Samara. Another nickname is the designation of the screw rotary plane. The following properties are important:
- lonely
- unilaterally winged
- Fruiting occurs in late September, early October
- 2-3 cm long
- 4-6mm wide
- the fruits of the black ash are slightly longer at 4 cm
- narrow
- elongated
- shiny brown color
- arranged in pairs
- form tufted panicles
propagation and germination
The fruits of the ash tree begin to ripen at the end of August at the earliest. At the end of September, beginning of October, the wingnuts are finally fully developed. The deciduous tree is spread by the wind, which carries the seeds up to 100 meters. With this form of pollination, the ash is an exception in its tree genus. Normally, the so-called anemophilia, as botanists call the dispersal of seeds by the wind, occurs only in unisexual flowers. However, the flowers of the ash are primarily hermaphrodite. Only the elm also has this atypical feature.
Seed germination takes place at the surface of the earth. If a young ash shoot grows in an unwanted spot in your garden, you can recognize the germination at an early stage and can either remove the tender shoots completely or transplant them to a more suitable place.
Peculiarities of the fruits of the ash tree
However, it takes some time before the ash tree reproduces with the shedding of its fruit. After formation, the nuts remain on the tree for a whole year. This feature makes it easier for you to distinguish an ash tree from other deciduous trees, even in winter, regardless of foliage or flower appearance.