Ash, white

Botanical name: Fraxinus americana, F. pennsylvanica, F. quadrangulata, F. latifolia

 

Other names: US: white ash, American white a., green a., blue a., Oregon a. UK: ash FR: frêne DE: Esche IT: frassino VL: essen NL: Amerikaans essen

 

The heartwood of the white ash group is brown, and the sapwood is light-colored or nearly white. Second-growth trees are particularly sought after because of the inherent qualities of the wood from these trees: it is heavy, strong, hard, and stiff, and it has high resistance to shock. Oregon ash has somewhat lower strength properties than American white ash, but it is used for similar purposes on the West Coast. American white ash (F. americana) and green ash (F. penn‑ sylvanica) that grow in southern river bottoms, especially in areas frequently flooded for long periods, produce buttresses that contain relatively lightweight and brash wood.

American white ash is used principally for nonstriking tool handles, oars, baseball bats, and other sporting and athletic goods. For handles of the best grade, some handle specifications call for not less than 2 nor more than 7 growth rings per centimeter (not less than 5 nor more than 17 growth rings per inch). The additional weight requirement of  690 kg m3 (43 lb ft3) or more at 12% moisture content ensures high-quality material. Principal uses for the white ash group are decorative veneer, cabinets, furniture, flooring, millwork, and crates.