Last updated on November 8th, 2023 at 10:29 am
The Raywood Ash Tree (Fraxinus oxycarpa) does well in the Southwest. It likes full sun and can tolerate poor soils. They have dark green foliage that turns an attractive burgundy red in fall. They are resistant to the Ash blight. It will lose its leaves in winter but bounces right back in mid-spring. They tend to grow straight up during the first 2-5 years after planting. It is a fast grower and can grow up to 60ft. tall and about 50ft. wide.
The fall color of the Raywood ash
It is deer-resistant and once established requires little water. Establishment usually occurs about the third or fourth year in the Southwest. It is a good shade tree and can withstand drought for years. Raywood trees are low-maintenance trees good for landscaping needs. They will do well in Desert or Xeriscaping landscapes, but watering is crucial for the first 3-4 years.
Fertilize and water often during the first 2-3 years after planting for faster growth. A good tree and shrub fertilizer with an analysis of 19-8-10 will work well.
The Raywood is a good source of fall color and is somewhat drought Tolerant. However, it is best to water consistently during the first 3 years after initial planting. It is a good landscaping street tree and with age, provides lots of shade during the summer months. Plant as a single specimen, in a grove for more widespread shade or for seasonal shading on hotter south and west exposures.
Problems with the Raywood Ash tree.
It is a hardy tree for the Southwest region of the USA. Insects and diseases are rare. Verticillium wilt will sometimes infect this tree, a good spraying with a copper-based fungicide will cure it from this disease.
More trees for the southwest right here. Southwest Trees.
I planted a Raywood Ash tree last spring . It did very well, and I expected it to do well this year. But although the branches seem pliable and alive, and there are rather hard leaf buds on the tree, it has shown no sign of leafing out. It is mid-April now. Does this tree start showing leaves late?
Hello, Steve. Yes, the Raywood Ash should be showing signs of life right now. My guess is you are not providing it with enough water. Every other day on a drip system about 4-7 gal. each time should ok. If the stems are pliable that is a good sign. Check your drip system making sure it is working correctly. Also, check the drippers themselves, they need to be close to the trunk of your tree. If watering by hand make sure you are applying at least 5 gallons of water each time. You could also try watering every day for about 10 days to see if it responds. Again, 5 gallons of water each time.
I have a Raywood ash that was planted in a grass yard in Phoenix a year ago. It just started leafing out about 10 -14days ago, but it only has clumps of leaves on the end of each branch. It appears to have many leaf buds on each branch, but they seem dry. I have been watering it deeply once a week and it gets a little water from the lawn sprinklers, as welI. I will water it more often as you advised the previous poster, but I thought less frequent, deeper watering was important.
Is it a bad idea to fertilize it now that it is 100 degrees and more? I did not fertilize it in the spring. Thank you!
Hello, Noel. I believe your Raywood Ash may have a disease called “witch’s broom”. It is a viral fungus that attacks many types of trees. You can visit the following page for more information. Insects and diseases on plants. There is a picture of a Birch tree with this fungus if your tree looks similar that is the problem. Please keep me updated for further information.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for answering my question. Fortunately, the tree does not have “witches broom.” It gained more leaf clusters after increased water and some fertilizer.
This is good news. I am happy that is all it needed.