Fraxinus chinensis Seeds | Chinese Ash
LATIN NAME: Fraxinus chinensis
COMMON NAME: Chinese Ash
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Chinese Ash, Fraxinus chinensis is a hardy, deciduous tree. It grows quickly into tall, spreading form, and it stands cold winters and warm summers well. It likes sun, and deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Each of these traits is modest on its own; together they make a garden-worthy plant.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the Fraxinus group, Fraxinus chinensis draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. Chinese ash has a well-documented role in studies of ash dieback resistance, and chinensis species appears in work on winged-fruit trees and fast-growing timber lines. Contemporary seed practice means a grower can raise it confidently with standard techniques.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Chinese Ash has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. In temple gardens and village streets, the Chinese ash spreads light canopy over summer shade. Winged fruits spin down on autumn winds, bark serves traditional uses, and tree makes fine avenue, timber tree and the windbreak. It settles into deep, fertile, open ground. Once it has its roots down, it more or less looks after itself.
Ash bark is a classical Chinese herb, Qin Pi, for intestinal heat, and its coumarins fraxin and esculetin are studied for anti-inflammatory activity; the trees also gave baseball its bats and folklore its world tree.
Growing from Seed
Chinese Ash is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Use a fine, free-draining seed compost, scatter the seed evenly, cover it lightly and hold it just moist in good light. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Chinese Ash settles in quickly once it finds its footing. Once the young plants are away, there is little left to do but watch them grow.
Related Reading
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