In the forest

It is a large deciduous tree growing to 20�35 m tall with a trunk up to 2 m diameter, with a tall, domed crown. The bark is smooth and pale grey on young trees, becoming thick and vertically fissured on old� trees. The leaves are 20�35 cm long, pinnate compound, with 7-13 leaflets, the leaflets 3�12 cm long and 0.8�3 cm broad.� The leaves are often among the last to open in spring, and the first to fall in autumn if�an early frost strikes; they have no marked autumn colour, ofte falling dull green.

In the 13th century Edda and other writing relating to Norse mythology, a mythological ash tree called�............. serves as the center of the world. Its roots were anchored in the abyss of the underworld, and watered by the streams of wisdom and faith. Its trunk was supported by the earth, while its crown touched the arc of heaven.