Ash trees grow up to 30 metres tall. In winter they are easy to identify from their characteristic triangular black buds. The flowers appear before the leaves, with clusters of dark purple stamens. The fruits (keys) are long, flat and oblong, initially green then turning brown; these are winged at the tip which forms a propellor for seed dispersal. The keys usually stay on the trees all winter.

Black ash buds		Ash in winter: remaining keys and black buds