Fraxinus hookeri Wenzing.

Description :

A large, deciduous tree 18 to 30 m tall with diameters of 0.6 to 1.0 m. The crown is oval shaped and dense. The leaves are compound, with the leaflets in threes. Leaves are 3 to 25 cm long. The bark is smooth and stem straight. The bark is light to dark grey. Roughness of the bark increases with age. Small white flowers are arranged in bunches and usually bloom between April and May. The fruit is a Swinged seed, 3 to 3.5 cm long and 6 to 8 cm wide. The seed matures between May and October. It is reproduced both from seed and by vegetative means. The seeds are small and winged and under natural conditions can be transported great distances. It grows fast. Mal diameter growth of 2.0 cm/yr has been observed. It has no known insect or disease problems. Close grained, wood is whitish and hard with specific gravity of 0.79.

Distribution :

The tree is native to the subcontinent including Pakistan. In Pakistan it is found from Swat to Azad Kashmir and Hazara. A tolerant tree that grows on a variety of rich deep soils. It is adapted to a precipitation zone of 600 to 1200 m/yr. It prefers a humid cool temperate, sub-tropical winter monsoon, climate with a temperature range of 12 to 35°C at elevations between 1200 and 2700 m. It coppices easily and is frost and drought sensitive.

Uses :

This is a good tree for reforestation projects because of its wood value for sporting goods items. This wood has proprieties similar to European ash and should be recommended for planting. This is an excellent farm forestry tree ideally suited for planting on high hill farm sites. Also used for construction, fuel, tool handles, oars, and sporting goods.