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Velvet Ash

Fraxinus velutina

Velvet (Arizona) ash is a drought-tolerant Southwestern ash of desert canyons and a popular irrigated shade tree, with velvety twigs and yellow fall color. As with all ashes, consider emerald ash borer risk before planting.

Family
Oleaceae
Type
tree
Lifespan
perennial
Height
30–50 ft
Spacing
25–40 ft apart
Light
sun
Soil moisture
moist, dry
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Bloom
March, April
Bloom colors
green, purple
Wildlife value
songbirds, larval host, pollinators
Caterpillar hosts
~149 butterfly & moth species
Landscape uses
specimen
Native states
AZ, CA, NM, NV, TX, UT