Plant Highlights

In California Fraxinus velutina, or Velvet Ash, is found in the southern Sierra Nevada, the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, and the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, with scattered populations extending into Baja California.

This ash is a small to medium-sized, deciduous shade tree, usually no taller than 40 ft. This tree has an open, rounded crown of spreading branches and leaflets quite variable in shape and hairiness. Spreading branches form a rounded crown. Bark is deeply furrowed. Foliage turns yellow in fall. The inconspicuous, green, springtime flowers are followed by the production of showy, persistent fruits

It is planted as a shade and street tree. It is hardy in alkaline soils and fast-growing. In the desert, ash trees indicate a permanent underground water supply.
When established, it is a moderate water user; supplement with 2-3 irrigations per month in hot part of year