Ash

American ash is similar in appearance to European ash. The sapwood is light coloured to nearly white and the heartwood varies from greyish brown to light brown, to pale yellow streaked with brown. The wood is generally straight grained with a coarse uniform texture. The degree and availability of light coloured sapwood, and other properties, will vary according to the growing regions.

Category:

General Description

American ash is similar in appearance to European ash. The sapwood is light coloured to nearly white and the heartwood varies from greyish brown to light brown, to pale yellow streaked with brown. The wood is generally straight grained with a coarse uniform texture. The degree and availability of light coloured sapwood, and other properties, will vary according to the growing regions.

Distribution & Availability

Distributed throughout Eastern USA. Good availability as lumber and veneer. It is sometimes separated for colour and sold as white ash (sapwood) or brown ash (heartwood). American ash can comprise a number of commercial sub species and is available in a wide range of grades and specifications as lumber and veneer. Note that white ash is the commercial name forĀ Fraxinus americana.

Working Properties

Ash machines well, is good in nailing, screwing and gluing, and can be stained and polished to a very good finish. It dries fairly easily with minimal degrade, and good stability means there is little movement in performance.

 

Physical & Mechanical Properties

Ash has very good overall strength properties relative to its weight. It has excellent shock resistance and is good for steam bending.

  • Specific Gravity: 0.60 (12% M.C.)
  • Average Weight: 673 kg/m3(12% M.C.)
  • Average Volumetric Shrinkage: 10.7% (Green to 6% M.C.)
  • Modulus of Elasticity: 11,977 MPa
  • Hardness: 5871 N
    * Values based on Fraxinus americana

Main Uses

Furniture, flooring, doors, architectural interiors, high class joinery and moulding, kitchen cabinets, panelling, tool handles, sports goods and turning. A versatile, good-looking wood, offering great value for a wide range of joinery and furniture applications.