Distribution: USA & Canada.
General Description: Creamy white to a light brown heartwood with
wide white sapwood. Generally straight grained but mainly crown cut with a
coarse but even texture. Has a pronounced grain pattern similar to Oak and
is often stained as a substitute. Weighs around 660 kg/m3 (41lb/ft3);
specific gravity 0.66.
Mechanical Properties: Wood bending properties are variable, but
generally very good, although not tolerant of pin knots in steam bending.
The wood has good strength, elasticity, toughness, stiffness and hardness
qualities allied to its relatively light weight. Excellent shock
resistance. Terms such as “tough”, “soft” and “medium” texture are used to
indicate the source of origin. Generally tough Ash is more brown and grows
in the Northern/ Appalachian regions. The soft/medium textured timber is
whiter and creamier in colour and grows predominantly in the Southern
States.
Durability: Ash is non-durable and perishable. The sapwood is
liable to attack by powder post and the common furniture beetle; the
heartwood is moderately resistant to preservative treatment; the sapwood
is permeable.
Uses: The tough Northern Ash is famous for sports Ash and is used for
all types of sports equipment. Both tough Northern and the softer Southern
predominantly whiter stock, have now become very popular for interior
joinery, shop fitting and furniture. |