Golden ash in Llandaff Fields, Cardiff, on October 2, 2014
I found autumn the other day, in a usually unvisited quarter – the very far corner of Llandaff Fields in Cardiff, right beside the main road.
Here stand a row of golden ash trees. Not just ordinary ash trees that have turned yellow, but the cultivar known as golden ash, Fraxinus excelsior ‘Aurea’. This traditional tree for parks has yellowy green leaves in spring and summer, but then beautiful golden leaves in autumn.
The row of golden ashes
The trees are well shaped
For a few minutes I was alone in a quiet and golden world that reminded me of some Elven place in Lord of the Rings.
A mass of gold lightens the heart
You can see here that the leaves weren’t always golden, but went through a light green patch in the summer
Beautiful branches
The trunk is solid…
…and finely textured with a powdering of yellow lichen
I suspect the experience would not have been so glorious if the sun hadn’t been shining!
Sun through the branches
The gold is in contrast to surrounding trees
What these images don’t show is that when the breeze blew I was surrounded by a shower of golden leaves (or rather individual “leaflets”) like natural confetti.
The leaves fade in the grass
There is another golden ash, Fraxinus excelsior ‘Jaspidea’, but that is a modern fast-growing variety and I think these are the slow, old trees. And for a moment among them I slowed down, and possibly felt less old.
Also see my blog post about green ash trees – Ash: the world-binding tree…
The Squirrelbasket 
Wow – they are stunning – never heard of them before – you captured them beautifully.
Thanks for your kind words – they brighten my day (as does the golden ash) 🙂
I don’t know whether I haven’t seen a Golden Ash before. Or maybe it’s slipped past my consciousness in a blur of autumn. I understand what you mean by warmth. It comes even through the pictures.
They are the brightest thing I have seen this autumn – not much red and orange around this time, I suppose the weather has been too warm.
See you soon over at Loose and Leafy tree following!
All the best 🙂
I was at Dyffryn Gardens yesterday, absolutely stunning. The NT are doing a really good job. Take your camera, Pat.
Certainly will!
I hope to do that one – and Tredegar House – now they are both NT. I haven’t been to either for years.
All the best 🙂
Envious of your experience Pat! Sounds wonderful 🙂
It was just a brief moment of pleasure among the days of hard slog that are my work these days!
All the best 🙂
How beautiful. I particularly liked the photograph captioned ‘beautiful branches’. The common ashes are still looking mostly green up here, just beginning to colour round the edges.
Yes, well I am sometimes lost for words when it comes to captions!
I’m pleased I caught the trees on that day as now they are bare. But the common ashes in my garden are still mostly green, like yours.
Best wishes 🙂