Monday, March 14, 2011

The Arizona Ash Tree


Slow growing but reliable, the Arizona Ash tree makes a great tree for our landscape.  Once established, the ash tree will need a weekly watering.  I have 1 on the property that is on the southern exposure of our home.  Every year it gets bushier and taller.  This tree is popular around town and can be seen in many different locations. It's deciduous and looks absolutely amazing in fall.  The above pic is from our tree here at El Presidio.   Some people absolutely hate this tree, but I have to admit that I am glad I put this green gem into our gardens.  When the wind blows through the leaves, it takes me back to summer days in Wisconsin. It is susceptible to Texas Root Rot so if you know that your garden has had issues with this in the past; don't plant this tree in that area.  There is a posting on this from last year.  Just type in "Texas Root Rot" into the search engine for more information. Some states, like New Mexico and Texas, report issues with borers destroying trees.  While that isn't an issue for Tucson, the Texas Root Rot is.  Watch your watering during the summer monsoon months.  It's a great reliable tree to have around your property and I think if you want a little more green than the Mesquite or Palo Verde trees provide then try this tree out.  Another more popular variety that sells out quickly is the Fan Tex Ash tree which is also similiar to the Arizona Ash. We don't have this tree on the property, but I know that this variety sells quickly at the garden centers so if you are thinking about planting one and see it........:)

Tomorrow I take a break from the tree postings and have a special announcement to make.  Many of you might be wondering when I'll get back to my random adventures around the garden.....soon.  Very soon.  This journal I've collected over this last year is extensive and needs to be recorded as part of my docent duties for Tucson gardeners. So tomorrow, I'll take a breather and share some thoughts.  Until then......

7 comments:

  1. Currently this tree is leafing out. It will usually drop leaves around the month of December and stay bare until now. Leaves are forming and this tree begins its' growth for the season.

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  2. Yes, a great tree for more irrigated spaces, lawns or heavy plantings!

    I'm glad you pointed out this tree needs regular and DEEP water; not as much as a cottonwood, but more than desert willow. Albuquerqueans routinely use this once-native in our RG valley with desert plants, and one or the other fail. In our cooler climate, it grows fast in the right place. What nice fall color!

    I hear there are cultural problems with the Fan-Tex variety, but no experience with it. Modesto is another variety, having a finer texture and likes similar growing conditions; takes serious heat with water.

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  3. I don't have any experience with the Fan-Tex, but I know people love it here. I have the typical post coming up about an irrigation drip line around trees and hopefully it will help with deep and appropriate watering in the right spots:) Hope you're having a good week and things are warming up in your area. I hear they have try outs for the new Avengers movie this Friday in ALB:)

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  4. I am looking forward to tomorrow's post...you have whetted my appetite!

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  5. So beautiful colors of that tree!

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  6. Hmmm. We planted a Desert Ash in the Fall this past year. It hasn't started blooming yet... Should it be blooming? I'm worried we didn't plant it correctly and it has died. Sad...

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  7. Hi there,

    It should have started leafing out. I'd wait until May though before you make any decisions. If there aren't any leaves on the tree by then, it's a good chance the tree is dead. Cycle wise, once this tree is established, it will begin leafing out around mid March. But the first year is always different as the plant is just getting started. Good luck!!!

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