White Ash
Scientific Name: Fraxinus americana
Other Names and Species: American ash, Biltmore ash, Canadian ash,
Fresno
White ash, a North American tree, is not to be confused with mountain
ash (eucalyptus regnans), which is native to Victoria and Tasmania.
Mountain ash is the tallest hardwood species in the world, and is only
exceeded in height by the redwoods of California. The sapwood of
mountain ash has a pale pink-brown color that is somewhat darker than
the sample of white ash shown to the left.
Origin: North America
Appearance: The sapwood of white ash is creamy white, while the
heartwood ranges from light tan to dark brown. The grain is bold and
straight, with an occasional wavy pattern; and in plain-sawn boards it
can have a strong contrast. The wood has a lustrous appearance, and the
texture is rather coarse.
Properties: White ash is elastic and hard, and it has excellent
shock-resistance. The wood remains smooth under friction.
Janka Hardness: 1320
White ash is thirty-two percent harder than teak, about two percent
harder than red oak, two percent softer than white oak, eight percent
softer than hard maple, roughly sevety-two percent as hard as hickory or
pecan, and sixty percent as hard as santos mahogany's ranking of 2200.
Workability: White ash has good machining qualities, and it sands
satisfactorily. When nailed, it has good holding ability, and it resists
splitting. The wood responds well to staining and preservative
treatment.
Principal Uses: Because ash wood is so hard, strong, and flexible, it is
among the most valuable hardwood species. It is best known for baseball
bats (e.g., the legendary "Louisville Slugger"). It is also used for
fine flooring, furniture, tool handles, and sports equipment.
About our Hardwood Floors - Designed For You
Our products are designed and manufactured in California for the Southwestern USA market, which has specific requirements with regard to the moisture content of the floor when compared to other countries. This is due to the drier climate of California and most areas in the Southwestern, USA that creates very distinct seasons with low average levels of humidity. This differs from many of the products sold within the Southwest, which are made to more a general specification for moist climates within the global market and cannot perform well in most drier Southwestern conditions.