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Audrey, Eve and George DeLange
Oleaceae
Fraxinus velutina
Arizona Ash, Velvet Ash
Steadfast and reliable in extreme heat, the Arizona ash is a tall, deciduous shade tree that has a pyramidal shape when young and develops a spreading, rounded canopy when mature. Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, it naturally inhabits stream sides or low pockets in canyons.
The compound leaves emerge light green and velvety and turn leathery and gray-green as they age. They have three to five leaflets with fuzzy gray-green undersides. In fall the foliage turns shades of yellow and gold. The small flowers emerge before the leaves in spring and are dioecious, which means that trees have either male or female. The clusters of male flowers are yellowish while female flowers are green. Only the female trees produce winged fruits, called samaras. These are borne in large clusters and are green when young and ripen to a tan.
Grow Arizona ash in full sun and well-drained soil that is evenly moist. It will tolerate drier soils but will not grow as vigorously in them. This is a superb shade or street tree for hot climates. Male trees are preferred for urban areas because they do not produce messy fruits.
The foliage of the Arizona ash is an important food source for several species of butterfly larvae.
9 - 6
6 - 9
3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Tree
Full Sun
30'-50' / 9.1m - 15.2m
30'-40' / 9.1m - 12.2m
Late Spring
United States, Southwestern United States, California, Mexico
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Pollution
Medium
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Oval/Rounded
Spring, Summer, Fall
Insignificant
Yellow, Light Green
Tan, Sandy Brown
Light Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
Gray Green, Dark Green
Yellow, Gray Green, Dark Green
Gray
No
Single
Yes
Fissured
Shade Trees, Street Trees
Butterflies
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