Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum

Tree of the Month - October 2017

Posted: October 4, 2017 at 14:42 pm Author: Dan Crowley

What is Tree of the Month?

Bitter ash or Picrasma quassioides

Bitter ash

Why is it Tree of the Month?

Related to the tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, the bitter ash is slightly better behaved, as it doesn’t appear to sucker; whereas the tree of heaven most definitely does!

Attaining only modest stature, it is a fantastic autumn sight as the leaves turn an excellent yellow, contrasting nicely with the fruit that at this time of year are red, turning almost black. It really is a cracking little tree!

Where can I find it?

Examples are dotted around the collected, with a notable group of 3 close to Ted’s Fright in Silk Wood.