White Ash
Fraxinus americana • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Prominent, bold cathedral grain resulting from ring-porous structure; mostly straight, coarse texture with strong contrast between earlywood and latewood.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown; sapwood is beige to light brown, appearing almost white. This sample displays a creamy, pale straw tone typical of fresh sapwood, with light tan growth rings.
Hardness Rating
1,320 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Perishable; low resistance to decay and highly susceptible to insect attack (specifically the Emerald Ash Borer).
Common Uses
Sporting goods (baseball bats, hockey sticks), tool handles, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and turned objects like this vessel.
Geographic Origin
Native to Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$7.00 - $12.00 per board foot (pricing varies due to impacts of Emerald Ash Borer on supply).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern/New (less than 5 years); the lack of significant yellowing or UV-induced darkening suggests the item was recently crafted.
Sustainability Status
Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List) due to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer; not currently CITES listed.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Notable Features
Excellent shock resistance and strength-to-weight ratio. Very faint to no scent. Distinctive large, open pores in earlywood rings.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer for durability; oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) will warm the color and emphasize the grain texture.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of strong cathedral grain, ring-porous pore arrangement visible in the turnings, and the specific creamy-to-tan color palette is definitive for the Fraxinus genus.