Fraxinus mandshurica - Hardwood,Tree,Web page Navigation - Manchurian Ash Page

It can be cultivated as an ornamental tree in parts of Canada and the United States, adding beauty to gardens and landscapes. Its medium height and dense oval form make it an excellent windbreak for farmsteads. The Manchurian Ash is also highly tolerant of urban pollution, making it a great choice for inner city environments.
The Manchurian Ash is native to northeastern Asia, including northern China, Korea, Japan, and southeastern Russia. It grows to be a medium-sized to large deciduous tree, reaching heights of up to 30 meters with a trunk diameter of up to 50 centimeters. The leaves are pinnate compound and can measure 25-40 centimeters long with 7-13 leaflets. These leaflets are subsessile, meaning they have a short or no stem, and have a serrated margin. In early autumn, the leaves turn a beautiful golden-yellow color. The flowers of the Manchurian Ash bloom in early spring, before the new leaves appear. They are inconspicuous, with no petals, and are wind-pollinated. The tree produces a fruit called samara, which consists of a single seed with an elongated apical wing.
The Manchurian Ash is closely related to the Black Ash tree found in eastern North America. In fact, some authors have treated it as a subspecies or variety of the Black Ash. However, there is disagreement regarding the spelling of its species name. Some sources spell it as "mandschurica," while others use the spelling "mandshurica."
In terms of its ecological preferences, the Manchurian Ash is adaptable to different soil conditions, including wet soils found in swamps and river valleys. It can tolerate a wide range of soil pH, although it may show poor growth in high pH soils. This tree thrives in full sun and requires at least 50 centimeters of precipitation per year. It is most successful in areas with a continental climate, characterized by cold winters, hot summers, and minimal late spring frosts.
Currently, the Manchurian Ash is being tested as a potential source of genes for resistance to the emerald ash borer, an invasive pest species in North America. The cultivar 'Mancana' has been selected by the Morden Research Station in Canada and exhibits a dense oval to globose crown. It is known for its hardiness and is a male tree. Hybrid variations with the Black Ash have also been developed.
Overall, the Manchurian Ash is a versatile and attractive tree that can be used for both practical and aesthetic purposes. Its resistance to pollution and ability to thrive in urban environments make it an ideal choice for city landscapes. Additionally, its role as a potential source of resistance genes makes it an important tree for biodiversity and conservation efforts.