Ash

Ash

American White Ash may be a clear timber ie. free from knots and other defects. Sourced in America it’s of a really top quality to be used within the stair industry. Ashwood has fairly good strength properties for its weight and is also shock resistant. It has high elasticity making it a popular choice for bows and steam bending projects. When stained it can look quite similar to Red Oak in appearance. The trees are currently under attack from the invasive emerald ash borer in the US, causing the price to steadily increase and making it harder for us to keep the wider pieces in stock.

Common Names: Ash, White Ash, American White Ash, Biltmore, Fraxinus Americana.
Origin: Midwest and eastern United States.
Colour: Light cream sapwood with light brown heartwood.
Janka Hardness: 1320 lbs/ft.
Avg. Weight: 3.6 lbs/bdft.
General Workability: It generally very easy to work with. Cuts, glues, stains, and finishes very well. The coarse grain may result in blotchy results on a laser. It is an excellent choice for steam bending.

Is project Ready? These thin wood sheets (previously called “Scroll Saw Ready” hardwoods) are perfect for scroll sawing, laser cutting and engraving, thick veneers, and much more. Our Project Ready to boards are kiln dried and surfaced and sanded to 150 grit on two sides.

ASHWOOD: BLACK, WHITE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

Among the most common species that are seen commercially, some basic divisions can be made; the first is between White Ash (Fraxinus americana) and Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra). White Ash tends to have a lighter heartwood colour, and wider spaced growth rings. By contrast, the heartwood color of Black Ash tends to be slightly darker, and the growth rings are typically much closer together.