Ash lumber is a strong and hard timber that varies in color and is commonly used for tool handles and sports equipment. However, it is susceptible to pests and may require special treatment. It can also splinter and have an unappealing color, requiring staining.
Ash lumber is lumber produced from trees of the genus Fraxinus, also known as ash. Black and white ash are both common choices, but a number of other individual species can also be used. This timber is famous for being very hard and strong making it suitable for a wide range of applications where strength is highly desirable. The durability of ash lumber leaves something to be desired and may require special treatment if it is used in an application where it needs to hold up well over time.
This timber varies in color, depending on the species. It can be pale or creamy to brownish and sometimes has a reddish tinge. Ash scores high, around 1300, on the Janka hardness scale used for hardwoods, but it’s also very pliable and impact resistant. This makes it useful for applications where it will be subject to shock. Tool handles are commonly made from ash and it is also a popular wood for baseball bats and other wooden sports equipment.
The term “ash” comes from a word meaning “spear”, referring to a historical use of this wood. Ash was once heavily used for tools, as well as cutlery and bowls. The wood is highly workable and can be easily carved and textured with sanding and other techniques. It can dull tools due to hardness, something to watch out for when working with ash. Ash lumber is also usually very dense, with a tight grain and a smooth, uniform texture.
The problems with ash lumber are mostly related to its susceptibility to pests. Mold and mildew colonize it easily and can be difficult to eradicate once they get into the fine grain. Insects also love ash wood. Treatments can be used to reduce the risk of mold and insect infestation and the timber should not be used in rooms where there is a high risk of exposure to fungus and boring insects. Ash lumber, for example, makes for poor decking.
While wood generally takes drilling, nails, and screws well without breaking, it can splinter as it’s worked, especially on devices like lathes. This is an important consideration for woodworkers, as the wood finishing process can be more challenging because they have to be careful of this issue. Ash can also have an unappealing color, requiring staining or other treatments to make it more visually interesting if people are using it in a project where the color of the wood is important.
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