FRAXINUS 657 



or in the following spring ; in either case it germinates in the spring about 

 seventeen or twelve months later as the case may be. Transplanting is pre- 

 ferably done in the winter with seedhngs kept about two seasons in the nursery. 

 During the first season the growth of the seedhng is comparatively slow, but 

 during the second season it is usually faster, a height of 2 ft. being attainable 

 by the end of the season under favourable conditions, while by the end of the 

 third season a height of 3-5 ft. is ordinarily attained. The treatment of the 

 seed usually followed in Europe in the case of F. excelsior (see below) may 

 prove suitable for this species. 



The growth is slow to moderate : Gamble's specimens gave an average 

 of 13 rings per inch of radius, representing a mean annual girth increment of 

 0-48 in. Wallich gives 8 rings, or a mean annual girth increment of 0-78 in. 



2. Fraxinus excelsior, Linn. European ash. Vern. Sum, Punjab. 



A large straight-stemmed tree. Bark (India) light grey, smooth in young 

 trees, becoming rough with deep longitudinal furrows in old trees. Wood 

 whitish, moderately hard, tough and elastic, used for oars, shafts, tool-handles, 

 and many other purposes. In the European ash there are nine to fifteen 

 leaflets ; the Indian representative has usually five, rarelj^ seven leaflets, and 

 this together with other distinctions led Wenzig to regard it as a distinct 

 species {F. Hookeri, Wenzig). 



Fraxinus excelsior occurs wild in the western Himalaya at 7,000-10,000 ft. 

 elevation in Hazara, Kashmir, and Chamba. Its distribution is very local ; it 

 is confined to moist, deep, fertile soil, often in the neighbourhood of streams, 

 and attains a height of 80-90 ft. and a girth of 8 ft. and over. There are some 

 good specimens in the upper Siran valley in Hazara, on deep, moist, fertile 

 loam obtained from the decomposition of mica schist ; here the tree grows 

 on the sides of moist ravines, often in the neighbourhood of running water, 

 the surrounding forest consisting of spruce, silver fir, blue pine, and deodar, 

 as well as horse-chestnut, maple, walnut, and other broad-leaved species. 

 Fig. 250 shows a large tree in this locality. Natural reproduction springs up 

 chiefly on newly exposed clean ground on the sides of moist ravines, often 

 among boulders. 



The artificial cultivation of this ash deserves more attention. It has been 

 planted with success as low as 4,000 ft., and appears to grow better at lower 

 than at higher elevations. For planting purposes, however, care is necessary 

 always to select deep, moist, fertile soil, preferably on the sides of ravines or 

 near mountain streams. 



Based on European experience, its characters and requirements may be 

 briefly indicated. The tree is a light-demander, but stands some shade in 

 youth. It avoids sandy soil, thriving best on deep, moist, fertile loam, and 

 in Europe is found most commonly on low ground near rivers. It has a well- 

 developed root-system, and is wind-firm. It is sensitive to drought and to 

 frost. It coppices and jDollards well, and reproduces to some extent by suckers ; 

 stools, however, do not live very long. In Europe the seed ripens in October 

 and falls during the winter, germinating in the second spring : it retains its 

 vitality for two or three years. Before sowing it is usual to bury the seed in 

 sand from the time it ripens until the second spring, when it is sown as late 

 as possible to avoid the risk of late frosts. In nurseries the seedlings are 



2307.2 Y 



