Fraxinus platypoda ("Shioji")

Japanese name: シオジ （塩地、柾樹、柾檮）
Scientific name: Fraxinus platypoda

[Overview]
A deciduous tree growing mainly along valleys in the mountains on the Pacific side, reaching 25 m in height and 1 m in trunk diameter.
The young branches are hairless.
Leaves are opposite, odd-pinnately compound, with 7–9 leaflets.
The leaflets are oblong-oblanceolate with fine serrations on the margin, and the bases of the lateral leaflets are asymmetrical.
The terminal leaflet is 8–20 cm long and 3–7 cm wide.
The upper surface of the leaf is sunken along the veins, and the underside is slightly hairy along the veins.
The base of the petiole is swollen and clasps the branch.
There are male plants and plants bearing bisexual flowers.
Many flowers are borne in panicles 10–15 cm long arising from the leaf axils of the previous year's branches, but the flowers have no petals.
The fruit is narrowly oblong, 3–5 cm long and 0.8–1.5 cm wide, winged, and hangs down.

[Uses]
The wood is used for furniture, decorative veneer and the like.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed and cuttings.
It prefers fertile, well-drained, moderately moist soil in sun to partial shade.
A place sheltered from snow cover and dry cold winds is suitable.
For potted plants, and for plants in the ground for less than 2 years, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For established plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
In winter, apply organic fertilizer around the plant.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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