If you’re looking for a unique way to spruce up your home or office, consider incorporating a hanging American mountain ash tree! These gorgeous ornamental trees make for beautiful suspended statement pieces that can completely transform an indoor area In this article, we’ll explore how hanging a mountain ash can freshen up your living spaces and provide tips for safely and successfully installing one of these stunning suspended trees
Why Choose a Hanging Mountain Ash?
There are many reasons why a hanging American mountain ash makes for an amazing decorative element
- Provides a burst of vibrant color with clusters of bright orange-red berries and green foliage
- Graceful shape with delicate, cascading branches is eye-catching and elegant
- The visual impact makes a striking focal point in any room
- Height draws the eye up, making ceilings appear higher
- Airy, open structure won’t block natural light
- Interesting alternative to more common houseplants or pendant lighting
Mountain ashes are fast-growing trees that can thrive indoors. Their manageable size makes them ideal for suspension. Let’s look at how to pick the perfect tree and set it up for success in your home
Selecting a Healthy Hanging Mountain Ash
When choosing your American mountain ash for hanging, look for:
- A young tree or sapling 1-3 years old, 4-6 feet tall
- Balanced branching shape with no major gaps
- Clean, undamaged bark
- Abundant leaf buds ready to open
- No signs of disease, pests, or nutrient deficiencies
Opt for a named cultivar like ‘Golden Raindrops’ or ‘Red Cascade’ bred for ornamental qualities. Avoid wild mountain ash trees which may be more prone to disease. Nurseries and garden centers will have the best selection.
Hanging Methods and Setup
Once you’ve selected the perfect petite mountain ash for hanging, follow these tips to install it:
- Use strong ceiling hooks, anchors, or other hardware to securely suspend the tree
- Hang from at least 3 points for stability; 5 is ideal
- Use adjustable cables or chains so height can be modified as the tree grows
- Ensure the suspension points are centered over the tree’s root ball for balance
- Add an eyebolt into the soil container for easy hoisting
- Use a high quality potting mix and include mycorrhizae for healthy roots
- Prune back about 1/3 of branches before hanging to reduce transplant stress
- Mist frequently after installing to prevent foliage dessication
Provide bright, indirect sunlight. Rotate periodically for even growth. Fertilize regularly during the growing season.
Caring for Your Hanging Mountain Ash
Maintaining your suspended American mountain ash will keep it thriving:
- Monitor soil moisture daily and water whenever the top inch becomes dry
- Humidity is crucial – mist daily or use a humidifier nearby
- Prune back drooping, crossing, or inward-facing branches
- Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during spring through fall
- Watch for signs of pests like aphids or scale and treat promptly
- Rotate for even sunlight exposure and growth habit
- Transition to a cool location with bright light in winter
With extra care and attention, a hanging mountain ash can grow happily indoors for years.
Styling with a Hanging Mountain Ash
A suspended American mountain ash tree introduces unique style and visual drama to any space. Complement it with:
- Midcentury or modern decor that highlights the sculptural form
- Rustic or industrial elements like exposed beams or brick walls
- Bold artwork or wallpaper to contrast the organic shapes
- Large oversized planters on the floor beneath for depth
- Pendant lamps around the edges to illuminate the cascading branches
- Neutral fabrics and furniture finishes so the tree is the focus
Let it be the star of the space by keeping surrounding accents simple and minimal.
Transform Your Environment with a Hanging Mountain Ash
Incorporating a hanging American mountain ash tree in your home or office instantly upgrades your interior with an intriguing vertical design feature. Cascading down from above, it makes a living botanical sculpture that refreshes the look of any room. If you have the right conditions, consider displaying one of these enchanting ornamentals in a pot suspended from the ceiling for unique stylistic impact. It’s a novel way to bring a touch of nature’s beauty indoors!
Sometimes you actually get what you want
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I am not some kind of trained meditator or seasoned diviner. But there are many instances in my life where I just have to say, ‘Wow, did that just happen to me?’
This most recent episode of – did that just happen – occurred over a tree. And not just any tree – one I have been searching for for over two years.
Now I know some of you won’t get my obsession with trees. But remember I live in a VERY hot place. In fact, I am just 64 km (40 miles) north of the hottest place in Canada, Lytton, BC (which still holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Canada – before it burned to the ground).
Trees can drastically change the temperature of a local area. And a couple of years ago I lost a very beautiful and significant shade giver in my yard. You can read about tree in this post:
I’ve wanted to replace the fallen Russian olive tree with something that serves the same ecological value, but which is not considered to be invasive, like the Russian olive is now in my area.
The goal has been to get a Mountain Ash. Mountain ash do all the same kinds of things – it creates a big open canopy; it flowers in the spring attracting pollinators; those flowers turn to red or orange berries that feed birds; and in the fall this tree turns a deep red providing a great show before winter sets in. Let’s say the Mountain ash checks all the boxes.
The problem ultimately has been the cost. Getting one is pricey and trying to grow one from seed has so far not been successful. Also growing one from seed will add 10 years or more to the shade equation, and let’s face it – I’m getting desperate for that shade.
I’ve been unsuccessful so far in replacing my shade tree.
Fast forward to this spring.
HUGE Dead Mountain Ash Tree Removal
FAQ
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