Ash tree facts for kids
Ash trees are medium to large trees. They belong to a group of trees called Fraxinus, which is part of the olive family. There are about 45 to 65 different kinds, or species, of ash trees. Most of them are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in autumn. Some, however, are evergreen and keep their leaves all year. Ash trees grow in many places around the world.
The seeds of ash trees are often called keys because of their shape. They are a type of fruit known as a samara. Most ash trees have light-green, oval-shaped leaves that are arranged in a special way called pinnate. This means a central stem has 9 to 13 smaller leaves, called leaflets, arranged in pairs along it, with one at the very tip. These side leaflets do not have their own stalks. The leaflets are pointed and have small teeth along their edges, and you might find tiny hairs on their undersides. Ash leaves usually appear quite late in spring and are among the first to fall off in autumn.
The buds of ash trees are black and look a bit sooty or velvety. Sometimes, people compare their shape to a Bishop’s Mitre, which is a special hat worn by bishops.
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Uses of Ash Wood
Ash wood is very strong and flexible. Because of these qualities, it is used to make many different things.
- It is great for making various tools.
- It is often used for handles on tools.
- Baseball and softball bats are commonly made from ash wood.
- It is also used to make bows for archery.
- Ash wood makes excellent firewood because it burns well.
- In the past, it was perfect for making shafts for bows and arrows.
Ash Trees in Old Stories
In Norse Mythology, which are old stories from northern Europe, the world tree called Yggdrasil is often believed to be a giant ash tree. This tree was thought to connect all the different parts of the world. The first man, named Askr, was said to have been formed from an ash tree. The first woman was made from an alder tree.
Threats to Ash Trees
Sadly, ash trees around the world are facing some serious threats.
The Emerald Ash Borer
The emerald ash borer (its scientific name is Agrilus planipennis) is a small, shiny green beetle that bores into wood. This beetle was accidentally brought to North America from Asia in the late 1980s, likely hidden in wood used for packing materials. Since then, it has caused a lot of damage. It has killed tens of millions of ash trees in 15 states across the United States and in nearby Ontario, Canada. Scientists are working to control this pest. They are researching three types of Asian wasps that naturally hunt and eat the emerald ash borer. This method is called biological control.
Ash Dieback Disease
The European ash tree, known as Fraxinus excelsior, is being badly affected by a fungus that causes a disease called "ash dieback." This disease has spread widely. For example, about 90% of Denmark's ash trees have been infected. In October 2012, ash dieback was also found in old woodlands in Suffolk, England. By 2016, experts reported that the ash tree was in danger of becoming extinct in Europe because of this disease.
Images for kids
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European ash in flower
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Narrow-leafed ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) shoot with leaves
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Canker on an ash tree in North Ayrshire, Scotland
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Ash coffee table
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Closeup of European ash seeds
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F. ornus
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Unusual "treelets" growing from a fallen ash tree in Lawthorn Wood, Ayrshire, Scotland
See also
In Spanish: Fresno común para niños
