Wood Species Guide
White Ash
Fraxinus americana (lumber often includes green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
Also called: American Ash, Ash
About the name “White Ash”
Lumber sold as 'Ash' in the US is normally white ash or a mix with green ash; the two are hard to tell apart once sawn.
What White Ash looks like
Light cream to pale tan, sometimes with a light brown heart. It looks a bit like white oak but brighter.
Grain and texture
Straight grain with a coarse, open texture, much like oak but without oak's ray fleck.
Working White Ash: planing, cutting and gluing
Very good to work with hand and power tools. It glues, stains and holds screws well and is one of the best domestic woods for steam bending.
Finishing White Ash: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Finishes well and stains evenly. Clear oil keeps it bright. The open pores need a grain filler for a mirror finish, and a seal coat before epoxy to stop bubbles.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not decay resistant; keep it indoors. Moderately stable. In Florida, acclimate and finish both sides.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
We carry ash as rough-sawn lumber. It is tough, shock resistant and a little springy, which is why it has always been used for tool handles and baseball bats. It is a nice alternative to white oak for a light, modern look. Supply is getting tighter because of the emerald ash borer, so it is a good time to use it.
Common uses for White Ash
Tool handles, baseball bats, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, bent-wood parts, and paddles.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. The IUCN Red List rates white ash as Critically Endangered because the invasive emerald ash borer, first detected in North America in 2002, has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees. Much ash lumber today comes from trees removed ahead of or after infestation.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
Ash is a mild irritant. A runny nose or asthma from the dust is reported now and then, but most people have no trouble.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask when sanding
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Ash dust can irritate the eyes, skin and airways. Use dust collection and a mask.
White Ash in stock now
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AshRough Sawn Lumber
Regular price From $8.29 USDRegular price
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