Find plants
My list (0)
Velvet Ash, Arizona Ash, Desert Ash
Fraxinus velutina
Climate Resiliency
2 out of 5 stars
Arizona Ash is a fantastic shade tree with an attractive rounded shape in maturity, providing (relatively) cool shade in summer. However, it is a large tree, and if you have an aversion to picking up leaves in the autumn, it might not be the best tree for you. Leaves are compound with 5 to 7 medium green leaflets that vary from elliptical to lance-shaped with lightly serrated margins. The leaflets tended to have slightly fuzzy undersides and a velvet feel when young, becoming smoother as they mature (though the undersides may remain fuzzy). Has a pleasing golden yellow autumn color. The male and female flowers are on different trees and only the female produces clusters of one-winged seeds (samara). Lots of litter from the seeds if you happen to get a female. Needs deep watering a couple of times a month, especially the first year, to encourage the roots to stay below the surface. Water at the edge of the canopy on a slow trickle for several hours. Prune for shape and to provide good branching structure. Naturally grows in canyons and large washes with a perennial source of water.
- Plant type: Tree, Native
- Maintenance level: Medium
- Water requirement: Medium
- Sun exposure: Full
- Height range: 35–45 Feet
- Width range: 25–35 Feet
- Canopy value: 530 ft²
- Growth rate: Medium, Slow
- Seasonal habit: Deciduous
- Flower color: Yellow, Green
- Flower season: Spring
- Fruit color: Yellow, Green
- Fruit season: Spring, Summer
- General foliage color: Green
- Fall foliage color: Yellow
- Hardiness cold tolerance: -10 °F
- Soil preference: Sand, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Well Drained, Moist
- Native location: Arizona, southern California, southern Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, southern Utah, and northern Mexico
- PH preference: Not Particular
- Sunset zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
- USDA hardiness zone: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
New Search