Goodding’s Ash: A Rare Desert Gem Worth Protecting
If you’re looking to add a touch of southwestern charm to your desert landscape, Goodding’s ash (Fraxinus gooddingii) might just be the perfect native tree for you. This delightful little ash brings both beauty and ecological benefits to arid gardens, though its rarity makes it a special treasure that deserves our careful attention.
What Makes Goodding’s Ash Special?
Goodding’s ash is a native perennial that grows as either a large shrub or small tree, typically reaching heights of 13 to 16 feet. Unlike its towering cousins in wetter climates, this southwestern native has adapted to thrive in harsh desert conditions. Its multi-stemmed growth habit creates an attractive, bushy appearance that works beautifully as a specimen plant or natural screen.
This deciduous beauty puts on quite a show throughout the seasons. In spring, clusters of small flowers appear before the leaves, providing early nectar for pollinators when few other plants are blooming. The compound leaves create dappled shade during the hot summer months, and come fall, they transform into lovely yellow hues before dropping.
Where Does It Grow?
Goodding’s ash is native to the lower 48 states, with its primary range in Arizona. You’ll find it naturally growing in desert washes, canyon bottoms, and other areas where occasional moisture collects.
Important Conservation Note
Here’s something crucial every gardener should know: Goodding’s ash has a Global Conservation Status of S3, meaning it’s considered vulnerable. With only 21 to 100 known occurrences and an estimated 3,000 to 10,000 individuals remaining, this species needs our help. If you’re considering adding this beautiful native to your landscape, please ensure you source it responsibly from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate from seed or cuttings rather than wild-collecting.
Perfect for Desert Gardens
This drought-tolerant champion is ideal for:
- Xeriscape and desert gardens
- Southwestern-style landscapes
- Wildlife-friendly gardens
- Low-water maintenance areas
- Natural screens and windbreaks
Growing Conditions and Care
Goodding’s ash thrives in USDA hardiness zones 8-10, making it perfect for hot, arid regions. Here’s what it needs to flourish:
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-draining soils are essential – this tree won’t tolerate wet feet
Water: Extremely drought-tolerant once established, but appreciates occasional deep watering during extended dry periods
Planting and Care Tips
Getting your Goodding’s ash off to a good start is pretty straightforward:
- Plant in fall or early spring when temperatures are mild
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper
- Backfill with native soil – no need for amendments in most cases
- Water regularly the first year to establish roots, then back off to occasional deep watering
- Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Minimal pruning needed – just remove dead or damaged branches
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
Your local ecosystem will thank you for planting Goodding’s ash. The early spring flowers provide crucial nectar when pollinators are just becoming active, while the tree’s structure offers nesting sites for birds. As the tree matures, it becomes an important part of the desert food web.
Should You Plant It?
If you garden in the Southwest and want to support native biodiversity while creating a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape, Goodding’s ash could be an excellent choice. Just remember the golden rule: only plant responsibly sourced specimens. By choosing nursery-propagated plants over wild-collected ones, you’re helping protect the remaining wild populations while still enjoying this remarkable native in your own garden.
Consider Goodding’s ash as an investment in both your landscape and the future of southwestern ecosystems. It’s a small tree with a big impact – both aesthetically and ecologically.
