Manna ash
Fraxinus ornus
A tough, drought-proof little Mediterranean ash prized for its manna sap and airy light shade over dry, rocky slopes — just watch local ash dieback risk.
Manna ash in a syntropic line
Manna ash belongs in the Medium layer as a Secondary species. The productive heart — most of your yield lives here. Rough in-row spacing starts around 3.2 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Butterfly bush, Common sage. As a Secondary species it carries mid-term yield and structure while climax trees slowly claim the canopy.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Medium
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Rocky, Loam
- Soil pH range
- 6.5 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -20°C
- Min. rainfall
- 450 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- High
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- No
How to manage it
Drought-hardy small ash for light dappled shade on dry limestone slopes; coppices well but yields only moderate mulch, so don't rely on it as a main biomass producer.
How to propagate
Sow seed in autumn after cold stratification; ash seed needs a winter chill to germinate.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Coppices readily but is not a fast-biomass species. Check ash-dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) risk in your region before planting widely.
Frequently asked questions about Manna ash
Is manna ash frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -20°C when dormant, with high frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does manna ash need?
It does best on rocky, loam ground, at pH about 6.5–8.5.
How much water does manna ash need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 450 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can manna ash handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — manna ash has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with manna ash?
Coppices readily but is not a fast-biomass species. Check ash-dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) risk in your region before planting widely.
Design your line to see how your land fits Manna ash.
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