Glacial Species & Grades

Ash

Other Common Names: Biltmore Ash or Biltmore White Ash Ash is grown in both the Glacial and Appalachian regions. Ash is a favorite of furniture and architectural millwork manufacturers. A light-colored species with an open grain and a coarse texture similar to oak, Ash is relatively dense with good working and finishing properties. Ash is unique due to its strength, hardness, weight, and shock resistance. Ash is second only to Hickory for use in the production of tool handles. Ash is also used in doors, cabinets, flooring, railroad ties, boxes/crates, baseball bats, canoe paddles and snowshoes.
Grades Available:

Properties

  • Machining4
  • Nailing4
  • Screwing4
  • Gluing4
  • Finishing5

Properties of Ash

Ash has excellent working properties with a good weight to strength ratio. Ash is stiffer and denser than Red Oak, making it excellent for building furniture and durable flooring. Even with a coarse grain, Ash finishes beautifully.

How does it compare

Lumber
(12 % moisture content)
Specific Gravity
(Density)
Dimensional
R
(%)
Movement
T
(%)
Hardness
(lbs)
Compression
Parallel
(ps)
Bending
Strength
(ps)
Bending
Stiffness
(kps)
Grain
Alder, Red (Western).414.47.35905,8209,8001,380Fine
Ash.604.97.81,3207,41015,4001,770Fine
Basswood.376.69.34104,7308,7001,460Fine
Beech.645.511.91,3007,30014,9001,720Fine/Medium
Birch, Yellow.627.39.51,2608,17016,6002,010Fine
Cherry, Black.503.77.19507,11012,3001,490Mod/Coarse
Hickory.664.98.91,8207,85013,7001,730Mod/Coarse
Maple, Hard.634.89.91,4507,83015,8001,830Fine
Maple, PC .483.77.18505,95010,7001,450Fine
Maple, Soft.473.07.27005,2208,9001,140Fine
Oak, Red.634.08.61,2906,76014,3001,820Coarse
Oak, White.684.48.81,3607,44015,2001,780Mod/Coarse
Poplar, Yellow.424.68.24505,2909,2001,500Fine
Walnut, Black.555.57.81,0107,58014,6001,680Medium