Tree 29

Fraxinus excelsior ‘Aurea’

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Quick Facts

Genus: Fraxinus

Species: excelsior ‘Aurea’

Common Names: Golden Ash

Mature Size: 14 metres

Height: 8.4 metres
Width: 8.8 metres
Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): 42 + 36 (2 stems) = 55cm

Age of Tree: Semi-mature, this tree was actively growing.

Place of Origin: Hybridized in Holland 1807, from a European species.

Plant Habit: Short, round canopy tree, grafted just above ground level; where its short trunk quickly divides.

Growth Habit: Slow.

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Story

In 1904 the Street Planting Committee started to beautify Ballan, and this tree is thought to have been part of this movement.

In 1908 the Street Planting Committee co-operated with the Caledonian Park Committee, and they divided the money that could be raised equally between the Park and the Streets.

A Ladies Bazaar was held in aid of trees.

This particular tree was recently saved by Ballan residents and the Shire Council, sacrificing two car parking spaces to protect the roots of the tree.

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Horticultural Information

Preferred Conditions: rich friable soil, with good summer irrigation.

Tolerances: Not tolerant of prolonged dry periods or excessively wet soils, this often results in canopy die-back.

Useful Life Expectancy (ULE): Short-medium; this type of exotic hybrid is often neglected and rarely reaches its full potential.

Significance: An attractive small tree through the year, after it has shed is autumn foliage its yellow stems and black buds are a real feature of an ornamental garden.

Flowering Characteristics: Indistinct; this is a sterile tree, that can have small flowers that are difficult to decern and can produce some small sterile samaras.

Features Foliage: Leaves are pinnate, light green in colour, turning a bright golden colour in autumn; held on the tree until early winter.

Points of Interest: An attractive tree, casts heavy shade when healthy; has strong autumn colour; in winter its yellow stems contrast with its black buds; giving it string features throughout the year. Allows good light in winter and is of a modest mature size, suitable for most smaller gardens.

Additional Notes

It does not produce much usable timber; which is white, smooth and useful for tool handles as it does not splinter.

The graft of this tree is very prominent at ground level. When this type of hybrid is stressed or deteriorating in health it will sprout at the graft of its root stock which is often Fraxinus excelsior now, where previously it was Fraxinus angustifolia.

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