White Ash
Fraxinus americana • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Strong cathedral grain figure typical of flat-sawn ring-porous hardwoods; featuring prominent, coarse texture with straight to slightly wavy lines.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown; sapwood can be very wide and tends to be a beige or light brown. In this sample, the wood appears very pale, suggesting it is mostly sapwood or has been sanded/bleached. Over time, it typically yellows slightly.
Hardness Rating
1,320 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Perishable to slightly durable in regards to decay resistance; poor insect resistance particularly against powder post beetles.
Common Uses
Tool handles (shovels, hammers), baseball bats, furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and increasingly used in river tables with epoxy as seen here.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 - $7.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively young or freshly processed; the lack of deep oxidation and the clean surface suggest recently milled or sanded stock for a modern epoxy project.
Sustainability Status
Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List) due to the Emerald Ash Borer infestation; however, it is not CITES restricted and remained widely available as salvage.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well. It has a high steam-bending rating.
Notable Features
Distinctive large pores; lacks the characteristic odor of oak. It is known for its excellent shock resistance and strength-to-weight ratio.
Finish Recommendations
Clear polyurethane or lacquer to preserve the light color; film-forming finishes work well to level the open-pore texture. Rubio Monocoat or similar oils are common for this type of epoxy hybrid work.
Identification Confidence
High; the prominent cathedral grain, open-pore structure, and pale color are classic indicators of White Ash, especially in the context of a live-edge epoxy pour.