European Ash
Fraxinus excelsior • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight and regular grain with a coarse, uniform texture. As a ring-porous wood, it features distinct growth rings that appear as strong parallel lines in this cross-cut log. No notable figure like burls or curls are visible in this specific sample.
Color Description
White to pale yellow-brown heartwood with little to no distinction from the sapwood in young branches. It exhibits a medium natural luster and tends to darken to a more amber or light brown hue upon exposure to UV light and oxygen.
Hardness Rating
1,320 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Non-durable to slightly durable; perishable regarding decay resistance and susceptible to insect attack (specifically the Emerald Ash Borer or powder post beetles) if left untreated or in ground contact.
Common Uses
Tool handles (hammers, axes), baseball bats, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and steam-bent parts due to its excellent shock resistance and flexibility.
Geographic Origin
Europe and Western Asia; widely distributed across the British Isles and continental Europe.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 - $6.00 per board foot for dimensional lumber; logs of this size are primarily valued as firewood or turning blanks.
Wood Age Estimate
Approximately 10-15 years based on the count of visible annual growth rings from the pith to the bark in this small diameter branch/log.
Sustainability Status
Currently threatened by Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) and Emerald Ash Borer. Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List in some regions, though not CITES restricted.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes well, glues easily, and takes stains and finishes effectively. It is highly regarded for its steam-bending capabilities.
Notable Features
Distinctive ring-porous structure; notable for its high shock resistance and strength-to-weight ratio. It does not have a characteristic scent when worked. Highly susceptible to the Emerald Ash Borer beetle.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to all finishes including oils, polyurethane, and lacquer. Due to its open-grain structure, a grain filler may be used if a glass-smooth surface is desired.
Identification Confidence
High. The combination of the thin greyish-green bark, the ring-porous end grain structure with wide earlywood vessels, and the light creamy color is characteristic of a young Ash (Fraxinus) specimen.