Modesto ash grows into a broad, rounded canopy quickly, making it a long-time favorite street and shade tree in warmer climates, especially valued for its bright golden fall color.
A seedless cultivar of Fraxinus velutina developed for landscape use, Modesto ash was once planted extensively across the American Southwest, though its popularity has declined somewhat due to susceptibility to anthracnose and other issues in older, mature trees.
Modesto ash wants full sun and tolerates a range of soils, growing quickly to provide shade within a handful of years. Regular deep watering and monitoring for anthracnose or verticillium wilt helps keep an aging tree healthier for longer.
Because of its susceptibility to disease as it ages, many landscapers now recommend disease-resistant alternatives for new shade tree plantings, reserving Modesto ash mainly for replacing an existing specimen or matching an established streetscape.
