There are three different cultivars of Fraxinus velutina on campus: the velvet ash, the Modesto ash, and the fan tex ash. Its large, compound leaves make for an impressive crown that provides welcome shade during summer months. Fraxnius velutina’s leaves turn bright yellow and drop in the early winter. This tree is native to the Southwest, fast-growing, and drought and heat tolerant. In ideal conditions, it can grow up to 50 feet tall. However, if you see one growing without irrigation, it is a strong indicator that there is a permanent underground water supply! The Campus Arboretum has 25 Modesto ash trees and 322 Fraxinus velutina specimens total.
