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Ash : (Fraxinus americana)

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Common Names

American ash

Ash

Biltmore ash

Biltmore white ash

Fresno

White ash


Physical Profile

Sapwood Color

The narrow sapwood is nearly white in color.

Heartwood 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.

Grain

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

Texture

The material is normally coarse-textured.

Odor

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

Movement in Service

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

Planing

The wood is fairly easy to plane.

Turning

Turning properties are reported to be rather poor.

Boring

The wood is characteristically very easy to bore.

Mortising

Mortising properties are reported to be poor.

Gluing

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

Sanding

The wood is reported to have satisfactory sanding characteristics.

Polishing

Polishing qualities are reported to be good.

Staining

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

Varnishing

The wood has satisfactory varnishing qualities.

Steam Bending

The wood has satisfactory or fairly good steam bending characteristics.

Response to Hand Tools

The wood works well with hand tools.

Miscellaneous Comments

The wood is reported to be lustrous.