White Ash

European Ash, White Ash

Fraxinus excelsior

Europe

Throughout Europe and parts of Southwest Asia at altitudes up to approx. 1,300 m above sea level. The best growing areas for the veneer industry are found especially in France and to some extent in Germany. Much sought after are logs without or with a small brown heart because only the “natural” white ash or lightly stained colors are considered to be high quality furniture wood. Brown heart veneers are stained dark and are used as interior veneers.

Good veneer wood for furniture and interior decorating. Logs having an olive-colored heart (“Olive Ash”) as well as Ash burls are in specially high demand as Olive Ash. Also used as wood for sports equipment (parallel bars, etc., due to its high bending strength), gun stocks, tool handles and grips.

It is hard to differentiate between sapwood and heartwood. In aging, however, there is pronounced darkening of the heartwood with varying diameters down the lengths of the logs. Dark patches can occur as well as frequent figuring.

Ash can be easily machined with all tools. The planed edges of fast grown coarse wood tend to break away. The surfaces are very smooth.

The wood is to be dried at a moderate temperature and not too quickly. There is only a slight tendency to warp. Surface checking is extremely rare.

Ash is suitable for all types of surface finishes and colored stains are used in particular.

Glue is readily accepted by Ash and provides very durable joints. Pre-drilled screw joints hold well.