Ash bonsai care

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Ash trees are very hardy deciduous trees. These trees have a vigorous growth habit.

The leaves of the tree are mid to dark green in color and pinnate in shape. The leaves are unpaired because of the presence of a central apical leaf. The leaves change color in autumn before falling.

The tree has smooth, silvery bark and thick stiff twigs.

Do ash trees make good bonsai?

Yes. Ash seedlings are so prolific that they are sometimes thought of as weeds by gardeners, they nevertheless make beautiful bonsai and are used by amateur enthusiasts. This bonsai has an attractive look in winter. They are suitable for most bonsai styles, but are especially well suited for informal upright, literati and forest groups.

A common ash bonsai is particularly attractive due to its fresh-looking bright green leaves.

Keep in mind, as the leaves begin to grow, they tend to be very large, but with the right technique of pruning, the leaves will soon start to take shape and become more rounded.

This is a large genus (contains about 65 species of trees or shrubs), however the species grown as bonsai are:

• Fraxinus americana: Also known as white ash or American ash.
• Fraxinus excelsior: Also known as European ash or common ash. This tree can easily be recognized by its black buds in winter.
• Fraxinus excelsior ‘Nana’: This variety is the smaller version of common ash and is more like a bush rather than a tree. This is a slow growing variety.
• Fraxinus excelsior ‘Erosa’: This variety has narrow-shaped leaves. This is a slow growing variety.
• Fraxinus ornus: Also known as manna ash. During the spring and early summer, it bears clusters of fragrant white flowers.
• Fraxinus floribunda: Also known as Himalayan Ash. This variety is also a flowering ash variety. It produces large white flowers.
• Fraxinus Chinensis: Also known as Chinese ash. During the autumn, the leaves turn violet red, and in the spring, scented pendulous flowers grow out of it.

Read more about other bonsai trees species in : Types of bonsai tree

Best location to keep Ash Bonsai tree

Ash bonsai trees make great outdoor bonsai (except for Fraxinus uhdei– this is an evergreen tree which can be used to make an indoor bonsai tree).

It can also be kept in partial shade.

Ash bonsai trees can be kept in full sun and partial shade in summer.

Ash bonsai is very hardy and will tolerate most of our cold winters. As natives of temperate areas in the northern hemisphere, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus excelsior, and Fraxinus ornus are all reliably hardy.

It is worth nothing that they are not pollution tolerant.

IMP: Refer to do bonsai trees need sunlight for more indoor and outdoor bonsai location ideas. Also, refer sunlight requirements for indoor plants for more indoor gardening ideas.

Propagation of Ash tree

Ash trees can be propagated by seeds, stem cuttings and air layering.

Watering Ash Bonsai tree

Throughout the growing season, water the soil regularly to prevent it from drying out.

A sign that your ash bonsai is not receiving enough water is that its leaves will die-back or fall.

During winter, keep the soil just moist.

Read watering bonsai tree for more details.

Wiring Ash Bonsai tree

You can wire an Ash bonsai tree at any time of the year. Wire long new shoots.

You should not leave the wires on for more than one growing season.

Read : Detailed guide on How to wire a bonsai. This guide will also tell you what precautions to take while wiring.

Pruning Ash Bonsai tree

When to prune Ash Bonsai tree bonsai?

How to prune Ash Bonsai tree bonsai?

The tree grows extremely vigorously, and thick trunk specimens can be easily produced by growing it in open ground or in a large container.

Through pruning, these fast-growing trees can be easily trained. However, they must be pruned regularly to maintain their compactness.

A few years if right root and leaf pruning will also result in smaller leaves.

Once two or three leaves have formed on the new shoots, pinch out the growing tip.

You can assess the branch structure by pruning back the ash bonsai in spring, before the leaves emerge.

With repeated cutting of the apex, the trunk will soon taper.

It is important to regularly trim the lateral (secondary) shoots in order to maintain good branch ramification.

Read how to prune a bonsai to know about the right technique of pruning and more about defoliating a bonsai tree.

Repotting Ash Bonsai tree

When to repot Ash Bonsai tree?

Repotting is necessary every year or every other year for ashes because they are vigorous trees. Every year for trees less than 10 years old. Every second year for trees older than 10 years.

Early spring is the best time to repot an ash bonsai. Also, in the year you are repotting, perform heavy pruning of the tree before the buds are about to open.

Bonsai soil that is neutral to alkaline, moisture-retentive but well-drained is ideal for ash trees.

You can use a mix of sand, loam and peat moss in the ratio 1:1:1

Please check out how to repot a bonsai to know everything about repotting and root pruning a bonsai.

Must Read: Bonsai Soil Recipes

Must read : Choosing the right bonsai container

Feeding Ash Bonsai tree

Ash bonsai trees don’t need much feeding. Fertilize the bonsai once or twice per year with a general fertilizer.

If you wish to supplement the growth of the tree, you can apply a medium- to high-nitrogen feed until mid-summer.

Read more about bonsai fertilizer and its application.

Diseases and pest of Ash Bonsai tree

It is rare to find insect pests in ashes, as they are generally trouble-free. However, in rare cases, they can get affected by coral spots, mildew and other fungal diseases. They can also be infested with leaf hoppers.

Prune the area infected with leaf hoppers. Remove the fungus-infected area and burn it. Apply a suitable insecticide.

When removing infected parts, cut back to healthy wood.

Our comprehensive guide: How to identify and treat bonsai pests and diseases is a great resource for you to see all the organic and inorganic remedies you can use.