Fan-Tex Ash Tree Care

A male clone of Arizona ash (Fraxinus velutina), cultivar 'Fan Tex' is also commonly sold as the Rio Grande ash. An excellent shade tree for hot summer regions, it matures 35 to 40 feet tall with a spreading, rounded canopy.

Features

Fan Tex demonstrates increased tolerance to alkaline (high pH) soils, summer heat, drought and arid winds than other selections of Arizona ash. Faster growth rate and lusher canopy occurs with irrigation, keeping soil evenly moist, neither bone dry nor soggy.

Maintenance

Prune away dead branches any time of year. Use a hand pruners and make the cut 1/4 to 1/2 inch above a lower branch junction, leaf or dormant bud. Late winter pruning to retain wide-angled branch crotches and outward growing branches from the trunk when this ash is young develops a well-structured tree.

Prevention/Solution

Fan Tex ash is susceptible to the fungal disease Texas root rot and borer insects. A healthy growing tree never stressed by drought is least susceptible to both problems. The root rot causes leaves to wilt suddenly in late spring -- there is no effective treatment. Preventative strategies against borers takes place in midsummer with spraying trunk and main branches with chlorpyrifos, according to Texas A&M University. This chemical pesticide brings health risks to humans.

Fan-tex Ash Tree Care

The fan-tex ash tree requires full sun. As a result, even fan-tex trees in rocky nutrient-deficient soils will survive. However, to ensure lush new growth in the spring, you can apply an 10-10-10 fertilizer. Evenly sprinkle one-half cup on the soil under the tree's canopy, keeping it at least 6 inches away from the trunk. Give the tree a good watering after fertilization. The fan-tex ash tree will grow into an attractive canopy without shaping. Make sure you leave the tree plenty of space to spread, as it does not respond well to heavy pruning. Fan-tex ash trees are particularly susceptible to cotton root rot, also called Texas root rot. Unfortunately, once your tree is infected with the fungus, you can do nothing to save it. However, if another tree in the area has succumbed to this illness, do not plant this tree in that area.