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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Fraxinus excelsior

Trade Name
European ash

Family Name
Oleaceae

Common Names
Ash, Belgian ash, Common ash, English ash, European ash, Europeesche esche, French ash, Fresno, Hungarian ash, Italian olive ash, Olive ash, Polish ash, Slavonian ash, Spanish ash, Swedish ash, Vanlig ash, Vanlig ask

Regions of Distribution
Africa, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean Sea Region, Oceania and S.E. Asia, Western Europe

Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
France, Hungary, Libya, Turkey, United Kingdom

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Artificial limbs, Baseball bats, Bent Parts, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Broom handles, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Coffins, Concealed parts (Furniture), Core Stock, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles: general, Handles: woodworking tools, Hatracks, Hockey sticks, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Living-room suites, Marquetry, Mine timbers, Oars, Office furniture, Paneling , Plywood, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Skis, Sporting Goods, Stools, Tables , Tool handles, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting, Walking sticks, Wardrobes, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Environmental Profile

Questionable

Extinct

Abundant/Secure

Vulnerable

Endangered

Status unknown in many of its growth areas

Status has not been officially assessed

Distribution Overview
Throughout British Isles and Europe into Asia Minor and Caucuses. Rare north of Great Glen in Scotland. Prefers mostly calcerous soils although found on all except poorest and acid soils (above ph 5.5). Prefers moist but well drained fertile soils. Up to 450m in altitude. Grows well in mixed stands provided not shaded.

Heartwood Color

Brown

Yellow

White

Pink

White to cream

Pale red to pink

Brown

Pale brown

Whitish

Pink when freshly cut

Greenish to greyish

The heartwood is pink when freshly cut, turning pale brown or white on exposure. Some material may have dark brown to black heartwood, which is strong and sound, and usually sold as olive ash.

Sapwood Color

White

Yellow

Same as heartwood

White to yellow

Well defined

Color not distinct from heartwood

Grain

Straight

Figure

Growth rings (figure)

Distinct (figure)

Even

Closed

Stripe (figure)

Mottled (figure)

Wavy

Variable (figure)

Straight

Clear growth rings (figure)

Striped figure

Distinct figure

Wavy

Variable figure

Mottled figure

Distinct and very fine figure

Texture

Medium

Fine

Coarse

Medium coarse to coarse

Medium

Porous earlywood bands are reported to give the wood a coarse texture. Large open pores, which are very conspicuous in cross-section, appear as clearly visible lines on radial surfaces, and as broad irregular bands on tangential surfaces.

Luster

Low

Dull

Natural Durability

Non-resistant to marine borers

Non-resistant to termites

Perishable

Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles

Non durable

Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack

Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack

Very durable

Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles

Sapwood susceptible to attack by common furniture beetles

Moderately durable

Little natural resistance

Durable

Despite its strength, ash wood has very little natural resistance to decay and will deteriorate rapidly if exposed to damp outdoor conditions. The sapwood is susceptible to attack by both the powder-post and common furniture beetles and logs and tress are liable to attack by forest longhorn or Buprestid beetles.

Odor

No specific smell or taste

Kiln Schedules

Drying (speed) is fast

Dry at a moderate speed

UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5

UK=D US=T3D2/T3C1

Schedule D - United Kingdom

Drying Defects

Checking

Distortion

Slight surface checking

Severe end splitting

Slight end splitting

Slight twist/warp

Slight checking and cracking

Moderate end spitting

Splitting and checking are slight but there is a tendency for the material to distort if kiln temperatures are not kept low. End-splitting may be severe. Severely shrunk and distorted material responds well to reconditioning treatment

Ease of Drying

Moderately Difficult to Difficult

Fairly Easy

Easy

Moderate

Dries at a fairly rapid rate

Difficult

Requires care in order to minimize degrade. Some drying degrade can be corrected by reconditioning treatment

Tree Identification

Bole/stem form is straight

Tree Size

Bole length is 10-20 m

Tree height is 20-30 m

Ash trees are relatively short-lived; a maximum of 200 years

Comments
European ash is quite variable in quality. It is similar to European beech (Fagus sylvatica ) in most properties, but is considerably higher in toughness. The wood is often cleaved, instead of sawn, to retain the strength of each piece. Selected logs are split into segments, which are then shaped with hand tools or turned on lathes, into its final form.

General finishing qualities are rated as good

General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory

Blunting Effect

Little

Blunting effect on machining is moderate

Blunting effect on machining is slight

Boring

Fair to good results

Fairly easy to very easy

Carving

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Cutting Resistance

Easy to saw

Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult

Satisfactory sawing characteristics

Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate

Gluing

Easy to glue

Moderate gluing properties

Satisfactory gluing properties

Mortising

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Moulding

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Movement in Service

Medium

The timber is reported to attain moderate dimensional stability after seasoning, and exhibits medium movement in normal use.

Nailing

Pre-Boring Recommended

Fair to Good Results

Possible if prebored

Pre-boring recommended

Holds nails well

Planing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Very Good to Excellent Results

Specific information not available

Responds satisfactorily to all woodworking operations

Difficult to plane

Resistance to Impregnation

Resistant sapwood

Resistant heartwood

Heartwood is moderately resistant

Sapwood is permeable

Sapwood is moderately resistant

Moderately resistant

Heartwood is permeable

The wood is rated as moderately resistant. Material containing black or dark brown heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment.

Response to Hand Tools

Responds Readily

Moderate working qualities

Easy to machine

Satisfactorily

Routing & Recessing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Sanding

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Satisfactory sanding characteristics

Screwing

Screwing yields good results

Turning

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Finish is generally satisfactory

Turns with moderate ease

Veneering Qualities

Suitable for peeling

Suitable for slicing

Veneers moderately easy

Veneers easily

Easy to cut

Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts

Steam Bending

Very good

Excellent steam bending properties

Wood containing knots and irregular grain may pose some problems

Painting

Good results

Polishing

Fair to Good Results

Good results

Poor results

Staining

Finish is generally good

Good staining qualities

Varnishing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Good results

Strength Properties

Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.

Max. crushing strength = medium

Bending strength (MOR) = medium

Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low

Shrinkage, Tangential = large

Shrinkage, Radial = moderate

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low

Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.

Shrinkage, Radial = large

Hardness (side grain) = medium

Shrinkage, Tangential = small

Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large

Shrinkage, Radial = small

Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large

Hardness (side grain) = soft

Bending strength (MOR) = low

Toughness (total work) = medium

Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low

Max. crushing strength = low

Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft

Numerical Data

Item	Green	Dry	English

Bending Strength	9059	15020	psi
Density		43	lbs/ft3
Hardness		1479	lbs
Impact Strength	45	41	inches
Maximum Crushing Strength	3819	6877	psi
Shearing Strength		2065	psi
Stiffness	1487	1785	1000 psi
Toughness		250	inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load	20	21	inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity	0.49	0.64
Weight	42	40	lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage	5		%
Tangential Shrinkage	8		%

Item	Green	Dry	Metric

Bending Strength	636	1056	kg/cm2
Density		689	kg/m3
Hardness		670	kg
Impact Strength	114	104	cm
Maximum Crushing Strength	268	483	kg/cm2
Shearing Strength		145	kg/cm2
Stiffness	104	125	1000 kg/cm2
Toughness		288	cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load	1.40	1.47	cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity	0.49	0.64
Weight	673	641	kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage	5		%

References
Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45

Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48

Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London

Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London

Constantine, Jr., A. J. 1959. Know Your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition. Revised by H.J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.

Das, N.R., et al,1965,Data on the Natural Durability of Timber Species,Journal of Timber Development Assoc. of India,11(2,pp6-12

Edlin, H.L. 1969. What Wood is That?: A Manual of Wood Identification. A Studio Book, The Viking Press, New York.

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Findlay, W.P.K.,1975,Timber: Properties and Uses,Crosby Lockwood Staples London,224PP

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1937,A Handbook of Home-Grown Timbers,HMSO

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38

Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment

HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R. H. Farmer, Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kaiser, J. Wood of the Month - Ash: A Big Leaguer's Choice. Wood & Wood Products, September 1987, Page 40.

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Lavers, G.M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.

Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)

Lincoln, W. A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Company, Inc., Fresno, California.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Smith, D.N.,1959,The Natural Durability of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Record,No.30

Stone, H.,1924,The Timbers of Commerce and their Identification,William Rider & Sons Ltd. London

T.R.A.D.A.,1942,Home-grown timber trees - their characteristics, cultivation and Uses,TRADA

Thomas, A.V.,1964,Timbers Used in the Boat Building Industry A Survey,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,Laboratory

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1

Wood, A.D.,1963,Plywoods of the World: Their Development, Manufacture and,Application,Johnston & Bacon Ltd. Edinburgh & London

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