White Ash
Fraxinus americana · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and central North America.
- Hardness
- 1,320 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Non-durable, with poor resistance to rot and insect attack when exposed to moisture or ground contact.
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, open texture and a pronounced ring-porous cathedral pattern on the face grain.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with a distinct, wide lighter sapwood that is nearly white. The wood has a moderate natural luster and darkens slightly to a golden hue with age and light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
1,320 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable, with poor resistance to rot and insect attack when exposed to moisture or ground contact.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $3.00 to $6.00 per board foot (depending on grade and region)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be freshly milled or recently processed within the last 1 to 3 years, showing minimal oxidation or surface patina.
- Sustainability Status
- Severely threatened across much of its native North American range due to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle, resulting in widespread salvage logging but limited long-term sustainable harvesting.
Common Uses
Tool handles, baseball bats, furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and central North America.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, machines well, glues, stains, and finishes nicely, though it can occasionally tear out during planing if grain is irregular.
Finish Recommendations
Reactions well to stains, varnishes, lacquers, and oil finishes. Pore filler may be desired for a perfectly smooth finish due to the open grain.
Notable Features
Exceptional shock resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and distinct ring-porous growth ring boundaries.
