Fraxinus excelsior, commonly known as common ash, is native throughout mainland Europe east to the Caucasus. The resilience and rapid growth made it an important resource for smallholders and farmers. It was probably the most versatile wood in the countryside with wide-ranging uses. Until World War II, the trees were often coppiced on a 10-year cycle to provide a sustainable source of timber for fuel and poles for building and woodworking. Since the mid-1990’s, an ash dieback has widely spread in Europe, causing the death of over 90% of all ash trees in several countries.