World of Wood

The Wonderful World of Wood:

European Ash:

• "Fraxinus excelsior"

Other Names:

• English.
• French.
• Polish ash etc,(according to origin)

Sources:

• Europe.

Tree Characteristics:

• A tree of moderate to large size, some 100ft or more in height, producing a trunk from 1ft 8in to 5ft in diameter.

Characteristics of the wood:

• A tough coarse textured straight grained wood, whitish to pale brown in colour, with little distinction between heartwood and sapwood.
• Logs with dark stained heartwood produce "olive ash".
• An excellent wood for steam bending, it is also relatively resistant to shock and is widely used for tool handles and sports equipment.
• Selected material known as sports ash is in high demand.
• The wood is perishable and is unsuitable for exterior use unless treated.

Workability:

• It works well with hand and machine tools, and glues well.
• It's flexible and split resistant properties make it ease to bend.

Average dried weight:

• 44lb/cuft.

Finishing:

• Although coarse textured, the wood can be brought to a smooth finish.
• It accepts stain well and can be finished with all types of polish.

Common uses:

• Sports equipment and tool handles.
• Bentwood furniture.
• Cabinet making.
• Vehicle bodies.
• Ladder rungs.
• Boatbuilding.
• Laminated work.
• Plywood.
• Decorative veneer.