American ash

Ash

Biltmore ash

Biltmore white ash

Fresno

White ash

The narrow sapwood is nearly white in color.

The heartwood is pale brown, grayish brown, light brown, or pale yellow streaked with brown. The color may also be cream to very light brown, occasionally with a reddish tinge.

The grain is described as bold, straight, moderately open with an occasional wavy pattern. Plainsawn boards usually have strong contrast in grain.

The material is normally coarse-textured.

Ash is reported to be typically free from taste and odor.

White ash is reported to have good dimensional stability, and is superior to Red oak in this property.

The wood is fairly easy to plane.

Turning properties are reported to be rather poor.

The wood is characteristically very easy to bore.

Mortising properties are reported to be poor.

Under controlled conditions, Ash is reported to glue with satisfactory results.

The wood is reported to have satisfactory sanding characteristics.

Polishing qualities are reported to be good.

The wood has good staining characteristics and is often finished in black.

The wood has satisfactory varnishing qualities.

The wood has satisfactory or fairly good steam bending characteristics.

The wood works well with hand tools.

The wood is reported to be lustrous.