Appearance: Tall tree with clusters of leaflets (compound) arranged oppositely along a central stem; smooth, grey bark when young, becoming rougher as it ages. CO₂ Capture: Moderate to high; grows quickly, so it absorbs a good amount of CO₂. Water/Drought Tolerance: Prefers moist soil but can handle short dry periods. Best Planting Spots: Flood Reduction: Near rivers or streams to help prevent erosion. Air Pollution: Effective in urban areas for improving air quality. Drought Areas: Not ideal for very dry places. Important to note: Ash dieback, caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, poses a significant threat to ash trees in the UK, with projections indicating the potential loss of up to 80% of these trees. The disease spreads via wind-borne spores, complicating control efforts. Consequently, ash trees may be unsuitable for current climate and flood mitigation initiatives.
Read more at https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/tree-pests-and-diseases/key-tree-pests-and-diseases/ash-dieback/