ASH ( Fraxinus excelsior)

The ash tree is deciduous, and can grow to a height of 30m. It has a spread of up to 20m. The leaves are divided into 9-13 leaflets, which are botanically termed pinnate. The bark is cracked and is greyish-brown on the trunk, but the younger twigs are greenish-grey and smooth.

The buds are black and slow to open in spring. Clusters of small green flowers appear before the leaves.

The seeds (keys) stay on the tree throughout the winter and fall in the spring.