In 1927, the first Fraxinus velutina specimen was planted in Modesto by the city superintendent of parks, L.A. Rose. The tree originated from the Fancher Creek Nursery of Fresno (which means “ash tree” in Spanish”). From the 1930s to the 1960s, these ash trees were planted throughout Modesto in large numbers. At one point, over 15,000 ash trees existed within city limits.
The tree’s popularity began to decline after the 1960s. Notably, many of the trees were ravaged by the fungal disease known as anthracnose, causing leaves to dry in the spring and turn prematurely brown. The roots of the trees also proved to be difficult to control; as the trees got older, the roots became invasive, splitting and cracking sidewalks, driveways, and roads.
Fraxinus velutina is a deciduous tree known for being cold, hardy, resistant to extreme heat, and able to withstand drought, which makes it a perfect fit for the climate of Modesto. It grows optimally in full sunshine (widespread in the Southwestern United States). These beautiful trees still line the streets of older Modesto to this day and offer the perfect amount of shade to ride out Modesto’s long, hot summers in.
