What To Know About Ash Wood

Publish date: 2024-05-16

Ash is a truly underrated wood. With a density and porosity similar to white oak, it’s a real workhorse. And it’s nice to work with whether you use hand tools or machines.

Ash is used in everything from high-end furniture to baseball bats. I will walk you through everything you need to know about ash so you have the confidence to use it in your next woodworking project.

What is Ash Wood?

Ash is by definition a hardwood, meaning it comes from a deciduous tree (i.e. a tree that sheds its leaves each autumn) called the white ash. Its heartwood has a medium brown color, while the sapwood is cream or beige.

Due to the fast growth of the white ash tree, the sapwood can be substantial, which actually isn’t a bad thing. Woodworkers often seek out the pale, creamy color of ash sapwood as an alternative to the brown color of white oak. In general, ash’s workability is similar to white oak.

Types of Ash Wood

Here are three main types of ash trees, plus two other terms to know:

The emerald ash borer beetle is believed to have been inadvertently introduced to North America from Asia in the 1990s. Lacking any natural predators, it spread across the continent in the last few decades. It has already ruined hundreds of millions of ash trees. It is believed that ash populations will continue to decline as much as 80 percent over the next 75 years.

The Pros and Cons of Ash Wood

Pros

Cons

What Is Ash Wood Used For?

Ash is used in lots of applications, including:

Ash Wood Cost and Purchasing

Although ash is in the lower price range for domestic hardwoods, as the ash population continues to decline, be prepared for prices to increase. Expect to pay from $5 to $10 per board foot, depending on width and grade. For comparison, most other furniture-grade domestic hardwoods cost from $5 to $15 per board foot.

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