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AMERICAN ASH
V. Ryan © 2008
 
Ash grown in the Northern states of U.S.A. is slower grown and in the main tougher compared to Southern ash. Light brown heartwood is also more prevalent.

Fraxinus americana
Family: Oleaceae

Commercial names: White Ash, Brown Ash.
 
 
 

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.

 
 
 
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