A review on Fraxinus xanthoxyloides (Afghan ash): An important tree species with various uses

This comprehensive review synthesizes the ecological, traditional, phytochemical, and management significance of Fraxinus xanthoxyloides (Afghan ash), a large, deciduous shrub to medium-sized tree belonging to the Oleaceae family. The species, which encompasses varieties such as var. dimorpha and var. dumosa, is found in arid and semi-arid regions spanning North Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the dry, inner valleys of the Western Himalayas. Ecologically, it thrives in challenging environments, preferring rocky slopes, ravines, and trans-Indus regions at high altitudes. Historically, Afghan ash has been a keystone multi-functional resource for local communities. It provides essential timber (for poles, beams, and agricultural tools), firewood, and is a source of spices and dyes. Its leaves and seeds are widely utilized in traditional medicine to treat conditions like bone fractures, arthritis, pain, and inflammation. These medicinal properties are supported by phytochemical studies, which confirm the presence of potent bioactive compounds, including terpenoids, coumarins, and phenolic substances, linked to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and analgesic activities. Crucially, F. xanthoxyloides serves as a vital source of nutritive fodder for small ruminants, particularly during the scarce foraging period of autumn. Traditional agropastoral management systems, like pollarding, shaping, and trunk anastomosis (known as Tahboucht in the Berber language), have been developed by local inhabitants to sustainably enhance the trees' longevity, vigor, and yield of resources over sophisticated nested cutting cycles. Despite its crucial role and effective traditional management, the species faces dramatic population decline due to indiscriminate harvesting and habitat degradation, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced conservation strategies.