Altena European Ash

First selected from a Common Ash street tree in 1952, Fraxinus excelsior 'Altena' has been commercially produced since the 1960s. Its symmetrical form and dense, pyramidal to broadly conical crown make it a good choice for avenue planting, as well as a striking standalone tree.

This moderately fast-growing cultivar matures to be somewhat smaller than its parent but can still exceed 20m in height, so it should be given plenty of space to develop. Its matt, dark green leaves show little change in colour during autumn.

Fraxinus excelsior 'Altena' is particularly useful for exposed sites thanks to its good wind tolerance. It performs well in most free-draining soils and is especially suitable for chalky ground. However, it does not tolerate paved surfaces well.

With a mature spread of around 10-15m, it makes a good choice for streets, avenues, parks and other large open spaces. It is rated to winter hardiness zone 4.

Mature height: 20m+

Common names

Altena European Ash

Height of tree

20m+

Soil type

Will tolerate most soil types

Shape

Pyramidal

Foliage Colour

Green

Location

Parkland

Genus

Fraxinus