Puntos de Interés
Vegetation
Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia)
The ash is a tree species that can grow to up to 25 m in height. Its bark, which is grey in colour, tends to crack with age. The leaves are deciduous and consist of up to 11 leaflets, always an odd number.
It is widely distributed across the Iberian Peninsula and in the rest of the western Mediterranean region and can grow at all types of altitudes from sea level to 1,600 m. It is normally found in woods or with other formations such as willow, alder and poplar. However, it depends on the ground water table, so it is common to see it near springs, watercourses and bodies of water. It generally has little or no problem with soil type, although it grows best in sandy, loose and acidic soils.
It is usually found in pastures on livestock farms together with species like Pyrenean oak. It is primarily used for its branches, as in this type of farm this part of the ash tree is pruned periodically to be used as fodder when pastures are insufficient. However, if this practice is done properly, it will benefit the specimen, helping it to grow much thicker and help the ash tree to live longer. This practice, which is widespread throughout much of Spain, is best represented in the centre of the peninsula.