White Ash
Fraxinus americana • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Typically straight with a coarse, uniform texture. Shows prominent cathedral patterns in flat-sawn boards and a porous, open-grain surface appearance.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown color; sapwood can be very wide and tends to be a beige or light brown; uniform appearance with a medium luster that yellows slightly with age.
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).
Common Uses
Flooring, millwork, boxes/crates, baseball bats, tool handles, furniture, and cabinetry.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $9.00 per board foot (subject to local availability due to EAB infestation).
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to recent (under 2 years); based on the bright, light color and lack of deep oxidation or graying.
Sustainability Status
Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List) due to the Emerald Ash Borer; not currently CITES listed but availability is changing.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools; responds well to steam bending; glues, stains, and finishes well. Large pores may require filling for a smooth finish.
Notable Features
Distinguished by its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and shock resistance; has a faint, characteristic odor when being worked.
Finish Recommendations
Takes all finishes well; polyurethane or lacquer recommended for durability. Open grains may require a grain filler if a high-gloss, mirror-smooth finish is desired.
Identification Confidence
High; the wide, open-pore grain structure, light creamy color, and visible cathedral growth rings are characteristic signatures of North American White Ash.