Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywood', Raywood ash, Flame ash
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywood'

Raywood ash, Flame ash

OleaceaeEurope, Asia

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height35–50 feet (10–15 m)
Width25–40 feet (7.5–12 m)
Maturity18 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywood', commonly called Raywood ash or Claret ash, is a large deciduous tree in the family Oleaceae selected in Australia from Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa (narrow-leaf ash) and introduced to cultivation in the 1920s. It is among the most widely planted large street and park trees in the Pacific Northwest, prized for its combination of fine, graceful texture, excellent urban tolerance, and — most distinctively — its reliable, intense claret-purple autumn foliage color, one of the richest and most persistent of any large deciduous tree. 'Raywood' grows 35–50 feet (10–15 m) tall with a broad, rounded crown and a clean, straight trunk. The opposite, pinnately compound leaves carry 7–13 narrow, sharply serrated leaflets 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) long, giving the canopy a fine, elegant texture quite different from the coarser foliage of North American ash species. This cultivar is male (seedless), eliminating the weedy self-seeding and messy samara production of many other ash species and making it a clean and low-maintenance street tree. Flowers are inconspicuous. The brilliant claret-purple autumn color typically holds for two to four weeks before leaf drop. Susceptibility to emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) — consult current Pacific Northwest extension guidance.

Native Range

Fraxinus oxycarpa (narrow-leaf ash) is native to moist, fertile soils along watercourses and in mixed deciduous forest in southeastern Europe (Italy, Balkans, Greece, Caucasus), Turkey, and Iran. The cultivar 'Raywood' was selected in Australia from this species and has no specific native range. Not native to North America.

Suggested Uses

Raywood ash is one of the premier large street and park trees for Pacific Northwest landscapes, combining excellent urban tolerance with fine-textured summer foliage and outstanding claret-purple autumn color. Widely used in Pacific Northwest municipalities as a street tree and well-adapted to Pacific Northwest summers. Outstanding in large residential gardens, parks, and commercial landscapes where its full size — 35–50 feet (10–15 m) tall — can be accommodated. The fine texture and consistent purple-red autumn color make it more ornamentally distinctive than most large ash species. Allow adequate clearance from structures (30+ feet / 9+ m). Note emerald ash borer susceptibility as range expands.

How to Identify

Raywood ash is identified by its opposite, pinnately compound leaves with 7–13 narrow, sharply and regularly serrated leaflets 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) long — notably finer-textured than most other large ash species — on a large tree with smooth to slightly furrowed gray-brown bark. The most diagnostic feature is the reliable, intense claret-purple to burgundy autumn foliage color, appearing in September–November and persisting longer than most trees. Being male, the tree produces no samaras. Distinguished from Fraxinus pennsylvanica and F. americana by its finer leaflet texture and the consistent claret-purple (not yellow) autumn color.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height35' - 50'
Width/Spread25' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

purple
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Raywood ash produces inconspicuous, wind-pollinated male flowers in small clusters in early spring (March–April) before the leaves emerge. As a male cultivar, it produces no samara fruit. Flowers have no ornamental value. The primary ornamental season is autumn, when the foliage turns intense claret-purple to burgundy, typically in September–November in Pacific Northwest gardens, persisting for two to four weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Inconspicuous; male tree — no samaras produced

Foliage Description

Opposite, pinnately compound; 7–13 narrow, sharply serrated leaflets 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm); fine-textured, dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15–20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Raywood ash is adaptable to a wide range of soil types including clay, loam, and compacted urban soils, and tolerates moderate drought once established. Water regularly for the first two to three years while establishing; thereafter largely self-sufficient. Hardy and tolerant of urban conditions including pollution, reflected heat, and restricted root zones — making it suitable for street and car park planting. Minimal fertilization required on most Pacific Northwest soils. Monitor for emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) as this invasive pest expands its range westward; consult current Pacific Northwest state extension guidance.

Pruning

Prune for structure in the first five to ten years to establish a strong central leader and well-spaced scaffold branches, in late winter (February–March) while dormant. Established trees require minimal pruning. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches as needed. Crown-raise for pedestrian and vehicle clearance as required in street tree situations. Avoid pruning May through August when fresh wounds are most susceptible to beetle activity.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic