When visiting Arizona, North America, you will likely catch sight of many ash trees and feel impressed by their tremendous size.
But have you ever wondered why locals grow this tree everywhere? What are the Arizona ash tree pros and cons?
This question will be thoroughly solved in this post, and I will present detailed information about the benefits and drawbacks of this plantation. Let’s figure them out in the following sections!
About The Arizona Ash Tree
Ash tree is a fast-growing and deciduous tree that can reach up to 45 feet and spread 25 to 45 feet or more, depending on the soil conditions and living environment.
Its foliage shows dark green hues, and multiple Arizona ash leaves form a rounded and dense canopy.
An ash tree does not bear fruits, so its compound leaf characteristic differs from fruit tree foliage, such as elongated oval shape or toothed edges.
Its blossoms are tiny. Male and female flowers form on separate trees. Male plants will produce white flowers in the spring, while female trees drop a seed that looks like a maple seed.
Ash trees are commonly used for shade because they can spread up to 45 feet to the surrounding. Its bark is sometimes used as a wood material.
What Are The Arizona Ash Tree Pros And Cons?
One benefit when planting an Arizona ash tree is that it does not require specific soil. You will also receive a lot of shade from it.
However, it is a fast-growing tree, so you must frequently prune its leaves to avert problems.
Here are the pros and cons of an ash Arizona tree that you should pay close attention to before deciding whether to plant it.
Pros
- Ash trees don’t have a great requirement for soil. They can develop well in several types, such as sandy, loamy, and rocky soils.
In other words, you don’t need to worry about whether the ground is well-draining enough or if it is necessary to add more compost to soften the soil.
- An ash tree has a wide spread of foliage in spring and summer, so it can provide fanlike shade in summer and lower the temperatures in a surrounding area.
- This tree is fast-growing and requires low maintenance, so you don’t need much care when planting it.
- Growing to the full, it will make gorgeous linings that better the landscape in driveways or golf courses. That’s why ash trees are commonly planted along the road or in some golf locations.
- Thanks to its big size, the tree is resistant to strong winds, so it doesn’t fall. Its roots are also long and move deeply to the earth, so natural disasters, such as storms or droughts, do not kill it easily.
- Az ash tree is a deciduous plant, so its leaves will likely change color when the fall comes and add more charm to your space. They will turn yellow, and you will have time to enjoy a yellow-gold coloring show performed by the ash tree before their leaves fall off in winter.
Cons
- Due to its rapid growth, you may need to prune its dead leaves or wilted branches frequently before the season comes to create optimal conditions for the flowers to bloom.
- The development of ash trees’ surface roots takes more quickly than other plantations, so it could damage some surface structures, like walkways or sidewalks.
- Female trees often drop seeds on the ground, making the environment dirty without proper cleaning.
- An Arizona ash tree is particularly prone to the attack of carpenter worms and aphids, but these species rarely cause serious damage to the plant. They only drain sap from the bark.
- A more severe threat lies in the menace of verticillium dahliae and verticillium albo-atrum fungi. They attack the tree’s roots and clog up the water transport system, inducing discoloration in the branch and sapwood. If not solved, your tree could die.
- It attracts many emerald ash borer insects that dig holes in the wood. You can control them using a borer insect infestation or pesticide, but remember that everything should be in moderation.
- The majority of ash tree varieties will require plenty of water, but you only have to water them three or four times per month.
How To Grow An Ash Tree In Arizona?
Below are comprehensive instructions on growing an Arizona ash tree from seeds that are worth your consideration.
- Step 1: You must prepare the necessary tools that are involved in the planting process, such as a shovel. Don’t forget protective garments, like safety gloves and eyeglasses, to avoid injuries.
- Step 2: Select an ash tree seed among diverse varieties that suits your needs.
- Step 3: Dig a hole about 3 inches deep and put the seeds into it. Remember that the hole should be large enough, so the clump of roots can comfortably sit.
- Step 4: Use your hand to cover the hole with soil and pat the soil down firmly. You’d better make the root wet before putting the seed in a hole.
- Step 5: Water the ground moderately, and you should not use fertilizer when your ash tree is still a seedling. Good luck!
What Are The Caring Tips For An Arizona Ash Tree?
Here are proper care tips for your Arizona ash tree to ensure its optimum growth.
Light
An Arizona ash tree requires plenty of sunlight for its development, so a sunny spot is perfect.
It would be best to plant it in your garden, or a mixing pot near the window can receive about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.
Don’t worry about ash trees getting sunburned because they are good at resisting heat and harsh environments.
Water
As presented above, you are advised to water your ash tree about three to four times a month, and the frequency can change when there is a downpour or the fall/winter is coming.
Never overwater if you don’t want ash tree roots to be soaked in water. And don’t underwater your tree because it may suffer from being dehydrated.
Soil
Unlike many plantations, an ash tree does not require specific soil since it can thrive well in nearly all environments, so you don’t need to worry about this matter.
But if you want soil in your garden to be more nutritional and softer, add a proper amount of coconut mulch, compost or peat moss.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your ash tree when it passes the seedling’s phase; some tiny leaves appear on the branch.
The use of an organic fertilizer is more recommended than a chemical one because it is more environmentally friendly.
Prune
You should prune your ash tree frequently, especially when the blooming season approaches.
Prune dead or tilted parts that hinder the growth of healthier branches or green leaves and prune them sparingly.
How To Propagate An Arizona Ash Tree Through Sowing?
Following is all-inclusive guidance on propagating an Arizona ash tree for you.
- Step 1: Make a careful preparation of gardening tools, devices, and protective garments.
- Step 2: Plant the seed in a nursery pot and dig a small hole to place it into the hole.
- Step 3: Insert a stable stick into the soil, which is near the seed, so when it grows, the ash seedling has some support and doesn’t easily fall. Water it carefully.
- Step 4: You are advised to propagate an ash tree in the fall, so you can transfer it to the garden soil when the winter months are over. I hope you will nail it!
How Fast Do Ash Trees Grow?
You may be amazed at how fast an ash tree can grow, as it is one of the fast-growing species in the world.
Over a decade, a common tree has developed between 18 and 25 feet, depending on soil conditions.
That’s why it is often grown for timber because this industry has witnessed a surging demand, and the demand can be fulfilled quickly thanks to the plant’s fast growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Some Types Of Ash Trees?
There are a variety of ash trees, such as white ash, swamp ash, desert ash, black ash, water ash, raywood ash, green ash tree.
The most common is white ash, which is native to the eastern and northern regions of the USA. This species can be 80 feet tall in optimal conditions.
How To Identify An Arizona Ash Tree?
You can identify an Arizona ash tree via its parts. For instance, ash buds often form in a group of three, with a larger bud at the shoot’s tip and the opposite one being smaller, tinted with black color.
Its bark shows a smooth silvery-gray shade, which lightens to a beige-gray when the tree grows older.
The Bottom Line
This post has provided comprehensive knowledge about the Arizona ash tree pros and cons. Although it is easy to plant and requires low maintenance, you must prune it regularly to get rid of dead tree parts.
Further information about growing tips, care guidelines and the propagation method is introduced in the above section.
Hope you will understand the presented details thoroughly and know how to apply them.
Thanks for reading the article, and have a nice day!
