Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'SUMMIT'

Green ash, or red ash, is native to North America from where it spread almost all over Canada and USA except for the hottest southwest. It is a tall, fast growing tree with attractive leaves on which, when fallen down, feed North American frogs. It was first planted in our country in 1835 and since then escaped from cultivation and shows its invasive tendencies in warmer regions.

Summit is a green ash variety sought-after for mostly two features: it is a male tree – not producing seeds and unwanted seedlings, and its vibrant autumn colour. The pinnate leaves are deciduous, composed of 5-9 broadly elliptic to narrowly ovate, deep green, not very glossy leaflets which turn glowing yellow in autumn. It makes it a great combination tree among other species with red or maroon autumn colour. In mid spring appear numerous, small, pale maroon flowers.

It grows fast, forming a strong central leader and a little narrower, oval to pyramidal canopy. Summit ash is a little smaller than the species, yet you have to count on at least 10-15 meters in height and a little less in width in maturity. It was introduced by The Summit Nursery from Minnesota, USA, in 1957.

Ash can take almost any soil type, it can withstand both drought and temporary water-logging when established but do not plant new trees in boggy soil. Pruning is possible in early spring and it can take hard pruning into old wood for rejuvenation. Summit ash dislikes drought and may be aggressive to foundations and pipes in the ground. Newly transplanted trees need a strong support for at least 3 years. Fully hardy to at least -34 °C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 22-08-2022