The Weeping Golden Ash (Fraxinus excelsior ‘Aurea Pendula’) offers a distinctive and elegant presence in any garden. Its unique cascading form and vibrant seasonal foliage make it a popular choice for enhancing landscape aesthetics. This tree provides year-round visual interest, from its striking golden branches in winter to its bright autumn leaves.
Understanding the Weeping Golden Ash
The Weeping Golden Ash (Fraxinus excelsior ‘Aurea Pendula’) is a distinct cultivar of the European Ash. This deciduous tree is valued for its unique ornamental features, primarily its broad weeping crown. Its branches exhibit a pendulous habit, gracefully arching downwards, often creating an umbrella-like silhouette. Mature specimens typically reach 5 to 8 meters (15 to 30 feet) in height and width, influenced by grafting.
This ash displays vibrant seasonal foliage. Leaves emerge green in spring, turning golden yellow in autumn before defoliation. In winter, its bright golden-yellow twigs and branches offer continued visual interest, contrasting with its grey-brown bark. The cultivar is generally fruitless, producing inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers in spring before leaves unfurl.
Planting and Care Essentials
Site Selection
The Weeping Golden Ash thrives in full sun, ideally at least six hours daily, though it tolerates partial shade. It performs best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter and consistently moist, but not waterlogged. This tree adapts to various soil types, from slightly acidic to neutral or alkaline conditions.
Planting Instructions
Plant Weeping Golden Ash during its dormant season, typically late fall or early spring. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of the same depth. Tease out any circling roots and prune them if necessary. Position the tree with its root collar level with the surrounding soil, then backfill and firm the soil to remove air pockets. Initial deep watering is important for establishment.
Watering Requirements
Consistent, deep watering is important for newly planted Weeping Golden Ash trees during their first two to three years to encourage a robust root system. Aim for one to two inches of water per week, adjusting based on rainfall. Once established, the tree exhibits good drought tolerance but benefits from supplemental watering during extended dry periods. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent over-saturation.
Fertilization Needs
Fertilizing Weeping Golden Ash supports healthy growth and vibrant foliage, especially for younger trees. A balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formulation or one with higher nitrogen, is suitable. Apply in early spring before new growth emerges, and possibly again in mid-summer or late fall, following product instructions.
Pruning for Form and Health
Pruning maintains the Weeping Golden Ash’s distinctive shape and overall health. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve air circulation and reduce disease risk. For grafted trees, promptly remove any branches growing straight upwards from the graft union to preserve the weeping form. Trim ground-reaching branches to about six inches above the surface, and thin overly dense areas. Avoid removing more than 25% of the canopy in a single session.
Landscape Design Applications
The Weeping Golden Ash is a versatile tree for landscape design, valued for its distinctive form and year-round appeal. Its graceful, cascading branches create a strong visual statement, making it an excellent specimen tree to anchor a garden bed or highlight a specific area. Its moderate size and unique weeping habit also suit smaller gardens where a traditional shade tree might be too expansive.
Its seasonal interest enhances its landscape value. Vibrant golden-yellow autumn foliage contrasts against evergreen backgrounds. In winter, bright golden branches and twigs offer a beautiful display, adding architectural interest to the dormant landscape. The Weeping Golden Ash can also soften architectural lines, provide dappled shade, or create a tranquil focal point.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Weeping Golden Ash trees can face certain challenges, including pests, diseases, and environmental stressors. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a significant concern, posing a serious threat to ash species. While Fraxinus excelsior shows moderate resistance, severe infestations can still occur, particularly in stressed trees. Symptoms of EAB infestation often include canopy dieback and D-shaped exit holes on the bark.
Various diseases can also affect this ash cultivar. Ash anthracnose, a fungal disease, causes irregularly shaped brown leaf spots and can lead to premature leaf drop, especially in cool, wet spring conditions. Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves, though it rarely causes severe harm. Ash yellows, a systemic disease, can result in stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and branch dieback.
Managing these issues often involves maintaining tree vigor through proper watering and fertilization. Pruning out affected branches can help limit disease spread and improve air circulation. For EAB, systemic pesticides may be an option in affected regions, and removal of heavily infested trees is sometimes necessary to prevent further spread. Drought stress, characterized by wilting, yellowing, or scorched leaves, can predispose trees to other problems and should be addressed with adequate irrigation.