Claret Ash Trees in Perth — Fast Growing Shade with Stunning Autumn Colour
The Claret Ash (Fraxinus raywoodii) is one of the most popular large shade trees in Perth — and one of the fastest growing. Prized for its intense claret-red autumn foliage and broad spreading canopy, it's a tree that delivers both practical shade through summer and a spectacular seasonal colour display that few other deciduous trees in WA can match.
A Fast Growing Shade Tree Proven in Perth
Originating from South Australia, the Claret Ash is a cultivar that has been grown extensively across Perth and WA for decades — and for good reason. It handles Perth's conditions reliably, establishes quickly, and grows fast enough to provide meaningful shade within a few years of planting.
Through spring and summer the fine, narrow leaves are a rich deep green, forming a broad open canopy that provides excellent cooling shade. Then as autumn arrives the foliage transforms — turning an extraordinary deep claret-red that is one of the most distinctive and dramatic autumn colour displays of any tree available in Perth. The colour typically intensifies as the season progresses before the leaves drop cleanly for winter, letting welcome sunlight back into the garden.
At maturity the Claret Ash reaches an impressive 15 metres tall and 10 metres wide — making it a substantial, long-lived tree best suited to larger Perth gardens, parks, and open streetscapes where there is room for it to spread.
Key Features at a Glance
- Mature height: 15 metres
- Mature width: 10 metres
- Aspect: Full sun
- Soil: Adapts to a wide range of well-drained soils including Perth's sandy soils
- Deciduous: Yes — intense claret-red autumn colour
- Growth rate: Fast
- Best suited to: Large Perth gardens, parks, street and verge planting, large rural properties in WA
Growing Claret Ash in Perth
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. The Claret Ash is a tough, adaptable tree that handles Perth's hot summers and a wide range of soil conditions across WA. Water regularly while establishing — particularly through Perth's dry summers — then reduce as the tree settles in and becomes more drought tolerant.
It requires minimal pruning — just occasional shaping to develop a strong structure in the early years, and periodic removal of any crossing or dead branches as the tree matures. The fast growth rate means it reaches effective shade height relatively quickly compared to many other large trees available in Perth.
Best Suited To
- Large shade trees in Perth residential gardens — effective cooling shade
- Parks, ovals, and open spaces across WA
- Street and verge planting in wider Perth streetscapes
- Large rural properties wanting fast-growing shade and autumn colour
- Anyone wanting one of the most dramatic autumn colour displays available in a Perth garden
Order Your Claret Ash Tree Online
Perth Trees Direct delivers healthy, established Claret Ash trees direct to your door across the Perth metro area. Professional planting and installation can be added using the dropdown above.
Contact us at info@perthtreesdirect.com.au if you have any questions about whether the Claret Ash is the right shade tree for your Perth garden.
