Moderately fast growing tree with a straight central leader and pyramidal to broad conical crown. The tree branches well when young, producing a dense crown at an early stage. Mature trees are conspicuous for their regularly formed crown. The leaves are a matt, dark green and hardly change colour in autumn. Was selected around 1952 from a road planting of F. excelsior, then about 20 years old. The tree was first marketed around 1966 under the provisional name “No. 17”. This was later changed to ‘Altena’. Good street, avenue and park tree. Also highly suitable for use in open spaces. Prefers fertile, fairly moist soil; cannot tolerate paved surfaces. Is rather susceptible to Pseudomonas savastanoi, but not very susceptible to canker. Seems not particularly sensitive to ash die-back, but research into this remains necessary. Tolerates a lot of wind.
Fraxinus excelsior 'Altena' môže dorastať do výšky 20 - 25 m v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Fraxinus excelsior 'Altena' rastie priemerne rastúci a môže dorastať do výšky 20 - 25 m v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Správny čas na výsadbu stromu je mimo vegetačné obdobie. V strednej Európe môže byť Fraxinus excelsior 'Altena' so zemným balom vysadený od polovice novembra do konca apríla, avšak závisí to veľmi od klimatických podmienok a druhu stromu.