Ash

Scientific Name: Fraxinus americana

Other Common Names: White Ash, American Ash

Ash, grown in the Glacial and Appalachian regions, boasts a light, uniform color with subtle hints of yellow. Renowned for its impressive strength and shock resistance, this hardwood suits both structural and decorative needs. Its straight grain and fine texture, like Oak, produce a smooth finish, and its natural durability supports various treatments and stains.

Offered in multiple grades, Ash adapts seamlessly to everything from high-performance sports equipment to modern, refined furniture—meeting the demands of both craftsmen and large-scale manufacturers.

View Grades

Machining

Sanding

Finishing

Gluing

Fastening

Screwing/Nailing

Machining

Sanding

Finishing

Gluing

Fastening

Screwing/Nailing

Quick Fact:

Ash is highly prized in the world of guitar making—its natural brightness and awesome resonance contribute to a unique tonal quality that enhances both electric and acoustic instruments.

What’s Ash Used For?

Furniture
Flooring
Sporting Goods
Tool Handles
Architectural Millwork
Musical Instruments

Why Ash?

High strength-to-weight ratio
Excellent shock absorption
Consistent, light color
Straight grain and fine texture
Durable and versatile for multiple applications

NWH Glacial is available as PEFC certified, FSC Mix Credit, FSC Controlled Wood or PEFC Controlled Sources.

How Does Ash Compare To Other North American Hardwood Species?

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
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
Yellow Birch	10	8	10	8	2	3.53	.62	1,260	16,600	2,010	7.3	9.5

Grades Available

NWH’s proprietary grades are designed to maximize yield and deliver consistent performance by controlling key structural and dimensional characteristics to optimize cutting structure and maximize your profits.

4 Grades Available