White Ash
Also known as American White Ash, Fraxinus americana.
Fraxinus americana (Oleaceae) · Eastern North America
Ash is the athlete of American hardwoods — light for its strength, remarkably shock-resistant, and one of the best woods there is for steam-bending. That combination is why it has always been the choice for tool handles, baseball bats, and the curved parts of chairs.
It also happens to be a handsome, straight-grained, oak-like wood that machines and finishes beautifully, making it a strong value for flooring, furniture, and millwork. With emerald ash borer thinning the standing timber, good ash is worth grabbing when it's available — we kiln-dry and mill it for furniture and flooring work, so ask us about current stock and grades.
Appearance
Color. Light brown heartwood with nearly white, wide sapwood.
Grain. Straight and regular.
Texture. Coarse, even texture much like oak.
Working & finishing
Machines well and glues and finishes cleanly. Its standout trait is shock resistance and excellent steam-bending — the reason it goes into tool handles and bats.
Drying. Dries with moderate movement and fairly little degrade; stable once dry.
Durability
Non-durable and susceptible to insects; an interior wood.
Common uses
Looking for White Ash?
We stock and mill a wide range of species and grades. Tell us your sizes and we'll confirm availability and pricing — usually within one business day.