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
- Machining9
- Nailing6
- Screwing6
- Gluing8
- Finishing9
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) | Machining | Sanding | Finishing | Gluing | Fastening/ Nailing/ Screwing | Weight per bdft | Specific Gravity (Density) | Hardness (Janka) | Bending Strength (MOR) | Bending Stiffness (MOE) | Dimensional Movement (Shrinkage) R (%) | Dimensional Movement (Shrinkage) T (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alder | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 2.45 | .41 | 590 | 9,800 | 1,380 | 4.4 | 7.3 |
| Ash | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3.56 | .61 | 1,320 | 15,000 | 1,740 | 4.9 | 7.8 |
| Basswood | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 2.50 | .37 | 410 | 8,700 | 1,460 | 6.6 | 9.3 |
| Beech | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 3.69 | .64 | 1,260 | 14,900 | 1,720 | 5.5 | 11.9 |
| Birch | 10 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 3.53 | .62 | 1,260 | 16,600 | 2,010 | 7.3 | 9.5 |
| Cherry | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 3.07 | .52 | 950 | 12,300 | 1,490 | 3.7 | 7.1 |
| Hickory | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 4.14 | .67 | 1,820 | 13,700 | 1,730 | 4.9 | 8.9 |
| Hard Maple | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 3.73 | .64 | 1,450 | 15,800 | 1,830 | 4.8 | 9.9 |
| PC Maple | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 2.74 | .50 | 850 | 10,700 | 1,450 | 3.7 | 7.1 |
| Soft Maple | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 3.19 | .55 | 950 | 13,400 | 1,640 | 4.0 | 8.2 |
| Red Oak (Northern) | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 3.64 | .63 | 1,220 | 14,380 | 1,761 | 4.0 | 8.6 |
| Oregon White Oak | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 4.34 | .72 | 1,640 | 10,200 | 1,090 | 4.2 | 9.0 |
| White Oak (Eastern) | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 3.94 | .68 | 1,350 | 14,380 | 1,762 | 4.4 | 8.8 |
| Poplar | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 2.81 | .43 | 540 | 10,100 | 1,580 | 4.6 | 8.2 |
| Walnut | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 3.36 | .56 | 1,010 | 14,600 | 1,680 | 5.5 | 7.8 |
