Wood Characteristics Influencing Quality Heating and Ignition . relatively easy to split and can be separated into thin strips. Many mammalian species from meadow voles eating the seeds, white-tailed deer eating the foliage, to silver-haired bats nesting, will also make use of ash trees. Few trees, though, can match its aggressiveness in sending out a massive root system. Bark close textured, dark grey, with interlacing furrows; twigs smooth, grey, with pale lenticels. Image Description: bark from fraxinus quadrangulata. The long strips are trimmed, cleaned, and used in basket weaving. The safest and surest means by which the moisture evaporates is simply to let the wood sit and let nature carry on. The strength of the ash is excellent, although it has flexibility. The tree. Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra) General Description A medium to large tree which grows best in bottomlands and other moist areas. Hickory. The name ash comes from the word spear, which could be a reference to its spear-shaped leaves or the fact that ancient peoples used the tree to make weaponry. It’s generally darker than its counterpart – White Ash. ), with their high, conical or oval canopies and relatively nonaggressive root systems are a good choice streetside or in large yards. Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide, POSTER: Worldwide Woods: Ranked by Hardness. Calculating The Value Of A Woodlot. A fierce competitor, the tree sucks up water and nutrients at a rate that, over the long run, other trees can't match. This is essential for basket making and often referred to as the basket maker’s tree. https://www.dickert.ca In fact, the tree's great demand for water eventually leaves it high and dry. Black Ash trees like to grow in wet areas such as swamps and marshes. The insects are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of millions of ash trees across the United States and Canada. Emerald Ash Borers are likely to kill 99 percent of the U.S. ash wood trees, says the U.S. Forest Service. In Maine, for instance, this tree of the swamps was cut, pounded, and peeled into thin, strong, bendable strips to form the state's field-worthy potato baskets. Which Ash Tree Do I Have? Ash is a great species of lumber to work with. Black Ash tends to be a bit darker in color than White Ash (Fraxinus americana). Types of Ash Trees. The Black Ash has a tall trunk with a fairly uniform diameter up to the branches. Black ash is characterized by a light to medium brown color. The foliage of ash trees is easily identifiable, with green ash (top) and black ash (bottom) is about the same (photo courtesy of Keith Kanoti, Maine Forest Service, Bugwood.org) Personally, I find ash to be a wonderful lumber to work with. Depending on its location, the black ash will reach heights of 12 to 20 meters with a girth up to 50 centimeters. Oregon ash has a Janka rating of 1,160, and pumpkin ash … Black ash (Fraxinus nigra), a slow-growing tree of northern swampy woodlands, is the only ash native to Newfoundland. This is a northern tree, the most northern of the ash trees. Although never a cherished target of lumbermen because of its comparatively small size, the black ash rates as unique because its dark-brown heartwood occupies nearly the entire girth of its trunk, leaving little room for lighter-colored sapwood. Avoid using wet wood and always use the dead tree if possible. The white ash, also known at the American Biltmore or cane ash, is considered to be the best among the ash species. Ashes lack these conspicuous rays. It’s not quite as strong or dense as the related White Ash (Fraxinus americana); this is most likely due to its slower growth rate, which causes a higher proportion of weaker earlywood sections. The wood from these oak trees is prized for its strength and density, and that density makes it one of the best at producing heat. The central stalk of the Black Ash contains 7-11 leaflets that each measure 15-30cm long. What are the current threats? Although never a cherished target of lumbermen because of its comparatively small size, the black ash rates as unique because its dark-brown heartwood occupies nearly the entire girth of its trunk, leaving little room for lighter-colored sapwood. In the northeastern United States, it grows south to Virginia and as far west as Illinois. Ash can be easier to start compared with Black Locust and Hickory, which makes it a better fuel wood to use when you first start the fire. Oregon ash has a Janka rating of 1,160, and pumpkin ash rates 990. It has a medium to coarse texture similar to oak but is almost always straight and regular. Great info with excellent bark and leaf pictures for identification. The Black Ash is a tree of wet places. Pull down a branch from the tree so that you can view it more easily. BostonBull. This is referred to as “figured wood.” For this reason, you’ll sometimes see curly or birdseye grain, among others. These points have more to do with the efficiency of the combustion appliance than with the wood. Depending on its location, the black ash will reach heights of 12 to 20 meters with a girth up to 50 centimeters. The sapwood has the tendency to be very wide and is usually beige to light brown in color. Ash Trees grow fast and straight. According to black ash tree information, the trees grow slowly and develop into tall, slender trees with attractive feather-compound leaves. Endgrain: Ring-porous; large earlywood pores 2-4 rows wide, small latewood pores solitary and radial multiples; tyloses common; parenchyma banded (marginal), parenchyma around latewood pores less common in Black Ash, but may be vasicentric, winged and confluent; narrow rays, spacing normal. When viewed from the face grain, the wood bears a strong resemblance to Black Ash, closely matching its color and grain pattern. This metallic wood-boring beetle attacks all of Ohio's native ash species, and has no known significant natural enemies in this country. If grow… Native to the northern wetlands, the black ash shares its soggy habitat with other water-loving trees, such as tamarack and black spruce. Flavor wise it is somewhere between oak and hickory. Go purchase The National Audubon Societys Field guide to Trees. Joined Mar 19, 2005 Messages 2,546 Location North Shore MA. Therefore, a high BTU wood is the best wood. Other common names, swamp ash, basket ash, brown ash, hoop ash, and water ash, indicate some of its characteristics and uses. African Black Ebony is the most valuable wood in the world. Swamps occupied for decades by black ash become shallower, creating fertile conditions for successor trees like basswood, elm, and red maple that can't stand getting their "feet" wet. It is relatively easy to split and can be separated into thin strips. Black Ash Tree Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra. I’ve still not found any usable for Acoustic guitars. he beetles’ larvae bore into a tree and feed on the inner bark, eventually killing the entire tree. The main types of ash wood you will come across in building, construction and for general human use is wood from the white ash (Fraxinus americana) and the black ash (Fraxinus nigra).There are other species of ash tree as well, including European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia) and Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Green Ash and Black Ash trees are preferentially attacked by the insects, followed by White Ash and Blue Ash. The main types of ash wood you will come across in building, construction and for general human use is wood from the white ash (Fraxinus americana) and the black ash (Fraxinus nigra). Black Ash is one of a handful of species in the Fraxinus genus that are used as commercial lumber. (This is a monthly update, and your email will be kept private.). It favors the wet soils of cold swamps, peat … Black Ash is one of a handful of species in the Fraxinus genus that are used as commercial lumber. The beetles’ larvae bore into a tree and feed on the inner bark, eventually killing the entire tree. Grain/Texture: Has a medium to coarse texture similar to oak. They are not true ash trees, however, and fall in a different genus. * Burns completely, and leaves very little ash * Less smoke emitted so chimneys are cleaner. It’s not quite as strong or dense as the related White Ash (Fraxinus americana); this is most likely due to its slower growth rate, which causes a higher proportion of weaker earlywood sections. There are 18 types of ash trees in this country, and ash is a common component of many forests. The tree. Ash Trees are native to the North American forest and have long been used to make furniture and flooring. Ash Wood: Black, White, and Everything in Between. Examine the texture of the tree's trunk. Black Ash can be distinguished from other ash The grain is almost always straight and regular, though sometimes curly or figured boards can be found. The specific gravity of ash woods ranges from 0.60 for white ash to 0.49 for black ash. Density of Wood - density is the amount of space a volume or mass of firewood occupies. I need at least 34″ by 8.5″ and 5/4. Black ash wood is 10 percent lighter in weight, meaning it is weaker, more limber, etc. Slightly more upright and often narrower in appearance than green ash. Rot Resistance: Heartwood is rated as perishable, or only slightly durable in regard to decay. The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), is a destructive exotic pest from Asia that is killing many of our Ohio Ash trees. True ash trees are in the Fraxinus genus together with olive trees. Learn More. Allergies/Toxicity: Ash in the Fraxinus genus has been reported to cause skin irritation, and a decrease in lung function. WORKING PROPERTIES Ash machines well, is good in nailing, screwing and … The ash tree is also linked with the blending of the past, present, and future. Adapted to poorly drained and humid soils, it naturally grows in peat … Steps. Where can I get some quartered Black Ash? Many aspects of this tree are unknown because it has never been commercially important. The seeds of the Black Ash provide essential food for wild turkeys, grouse and other small mammals. This exotic insect girdles and kills the tree. Perhaps the most common ash look-alike is Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Black ash trees (Fraxinus nigra) are native to the northeast corner of the United States as well as Canada.They grow in wooded swamps and wetlands. The killer beetle has made a home in 26 states, two Canadian Providences and is continuing to spread. Jonathan W. Wright and H. Michael Rauscher. The endgrain of the wood is pounded with a mallet—collapsing the weaker earlywood, and liberating the latewood to be peeled off in strips. It is listed as critically endangered due to a projected population reduction of over 80% in the next three generations, caused by effects of introduced taxa. Black Ash is the tree of choice for pounding of traditional Native American basketry. Ash Tree Trivia. The insects are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of millions of ash trees across the United States and Canada. Where I live, black ash is available and makes a very nice fire but birch is far and away the most popular firewood because it is easier to manage than ash. Ash Tree Symbolism. It is a hardy tree resistant to many diseases, but has been recently attacked by the Emerald Ash Bore… See our image examples and identification guide. It can be easy to mistake an Ash tree for Black Walnut, Maple, Boxelder, Hickory or Dogwood trees. The wood has been used to make cabinets, veneer, baskets, barrel hoops, and the seats of chairs. Black Ash Scientific Name: Fraxinus nigra. Ash trees belong to the Fraxinus species and grow commonly in cities and forests. The Fraxinum genus of plants includes many ash trees, like these 13 species. It is a slender tree—one of the slenderest trees found in North American forests—with a … Black Ash. Native to the northern wetlands, the black ash shares its soggy habitat with other water-loving trees, such as tamarack and black spruce. Odor: Gives off a distinct, moderately unpleasant smell when being worked. When stained, ash can look very similar to oak (Quercus spp. Ash look-alikes. The Maine DACF Horticulture Program and Forest Health and Monitoring Division urge tree and shrub sellers to stop selling any Fraxinus species (white, green, black/brown ash) or Chionanthus (white fringe tree). T he beetles’ larvae bore into a tree and feed on the inner bark, eventually killing the entire tree. Sep 30, 2007 #7 Easiest way to tell is by the leaves, twigs, and bud structure. In Canada, it can be found from Newfoundland west to Manitoba. Maine DACF suggests that homeowners not plant these species because EAB will attack trees as small as one inch in diameter. The wood from the hickory family of trees, which includes pecan trees, is also very dense and prized for use as firewood, being of similar quality to oak. In my opinion, it is the best smoking wood I have ever used. The closer ring spacing can also be used to distinguish Black Ash from White Ash. For more related content, subscribe to our newsletter! The ash tree stands for strength, which it gets from its strong roots. The soft, ash-gray bark is fissured into scaly plates, which easily can be reduced to powder by rubbing. The White ash tree is the largest of the ash tree family. Photo by Brian Lacey. The rip fence on my Powermatic 66 tablesaw didn’t glide as smoothly across the tabletop as I liked... read more. Black ash is a medium-size tree with limited ornamental value but as a native tree it has a wide-ranging wildlife value, and it’s very adaptable to wet locations and moist sites. White ash is rated at 1,320 and green ash at 1,200. Marsh. Green Ash and Black Ash trees are preferentially attacked by the insects, followed by White Ash and Blue Ash. Glues, stains, and finishes well. The black ash has a lifespan of up to a century and does not tolerate shade. Ash is a hardwood which means it will burn hotter and will provide the most heat for the weight. The wood has been used to make cabinets, veneer, baskets, barrel hoops, and the seats of chairs. Has a higher moisture requirement than green ash. The 40 to 70 species of ash trees are native to Central and North America. African Black Ebony is the most valuable wood in the world. It is one of Wisqoq’s greatest threats. It's this band that cleanly cleaves from the latewood, providing the thin, tough, and durable strips that craftsmen turn into baskets, woven chair seats, and once upon a time, the hoops that held together the staves of wooden barrels. Black Ash seeds in the winter. Workability: Produces good results with hand or machine tools. Fluorescence: A Secret Weapon in Wood Identification, Bow Woods (from a mathematical perspective), Brazilian Rosewood, East Indian, and Other Rosewoods, Genuine Lignum Vitae and Argentine Lignum Vitae, BOOK: WOOD! This tree can grow well in cold and wet locations. Ash Tree Trivia. Protect wood from absorbing water, either from rain or from the ground. However, the most notable use is its selection as the choice material for making wooden baseball bats. These beetles attack all native species of ash trees. It has great shock resistance, and solid workability. Lacking natural predators, uncontrolled populations of this invasive species spread very rapidly throughout North America, devastating local populations of ash trees. Its also tied to many legends. But if planted, they will grow elsewhere. Black ash (Fraxinus nigra) California ash (Fraxinus dipetala) Blue ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata) These types of ash trees tolerate urban pollution and their cultivars are often seen as street trees. I have my own mI’ll and just cut a fresh black ash tree if you want a specific size let me know I can get it. Northwoods basketmakers know black ash (Fraxinus nigra) well. Responds well to steam bending. Calculating the value of trees growing in a wood lot is fairly straightforward. Method 1 of 2: Comparing Branches 1. One lesser-known tree that makes great firewood is black locust. Many offer nice autumn displays as the leaves turn yellow or purple. Are Rosewoods (and Bubinga) really banned by CITES? Even its light weight (31 lbs/ft 3 average) closely matches the density of Black Ash (34 lbs/ft 3 average). How to identify a Black Ash tree? You are using an outdated browser that is no longer supported by Ontario.ca. If you have firewood that is a lower MBTU rating than the ash firewood you've stocked, there is no harm in mixing the two. The Green Ash is widely planted as a street tree in the United States. Unlike white ash, it has no stem connecting the leaflet to the main stem. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. It favors the wet soils of cold swamps, peat bogs, and stream bottoms that periodically are flooded. White ash and black ash both have gray, smooth bark when young, but diverge in appearance as they age. Calculating The Value Of A Woodlot Calculating the value of trees growing in a wood lot is fairly straightforward. Comments: The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), believed to have been inadvertently introduced from Asia sometime in the 1990s, was first detected in Michigan in 2002. hd@dickert.ca. White ash is rated at 1,320 and green ash at 1,200. Wood-Boring Beetles in Ash Trees. (See notes on the emerald ash borer in the comments section below.). )-Slender, upright tree with narrow head, 50 to 90 feet high; twigs stout. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. For Eric’s baskets, it all starts with the Black Ash tree. A few other trees (like mountain ash and prickly ash) look similar to ash. The closer ring spacing can also be used to distinguish Black Ash from White Ash. Other woods are stronger, but it has the best strength to weight ratio, and since most players do not want a bat greater than 32 oz. Oak, Hickory, Black Locust, etc.) Learn More. BostonBull Addicted to ArboristSite. Black ash is unique among all trees in North America in that it does not have fibers connecting the growth rings to each other . The wood is generally straight-grained with a coarse uniform texture. Oleaceae -- Olive family. The specific gravity of ash woods ranges from 0.60 for white ash to 0.49 for black ash. The insects are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of millions of ash trees across the United States and Canada. I am a guitar builder and have been all over the web. Adapted to poorly drained and humid soils, it naturally grows in peat-bogs, along streams and on alternately flooded lands. Black Ash. Ash Tree Disease: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) The emerald ash borer is a metallic green wood boring beetle which is about 1 to 1.5 cm in length. Black Ash is threatened with extinction by Emerald Ash Borer (from Asia), along with all other native Ash species. Sep 30, 2007. It machines well, accepts stain and dye really well (if that is important to you) and is always available. Processing wood into fine weaving materials is a time consuming endeavor. Scrollsaw, Carving, and Decorative Projects, Hardness ratings help you choose the right species, How To Make A Translucent Transom with Veneer, Rip Fence Glides Along Smoothly on Wheels. This is a useful property for basket makers. Without regular insecticide treatments, most of the ash … Distribution: Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada, Tree Size: 50-65 ft (15-20 m) tall, 1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter, Average Dried Weight: 34 lbs/ft3 (545 kg/m3), Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .45, .55, Modulus of Rupture: 12,600 lbf/in2 (86.9 MPa), Elastic Modulus: 1,600,000 lbf/in2 (11.00 GPa), Crushing Strength: 5,970 lbf/in2 (41.2 MPa), Shrinkage: Radial: 5.0%, Tangential: 7.8%, Volumetric: 15.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.6. For the same reason, it is used for tool handles, hockey sticks, and canoe paddles. Ash is also not resistant to insect attack. The ash tree is a beautiful, strong tree with more than 60 species found mostly in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. So the black ash has few close neighbors. The black ash alone supports wood ducks, wild turkey, cardinals, pine grosbeaks, cedar waxwings, and yellow-bellied sapsuckers, with habitat and food (such as the sap being of … this becomes significant. Ash wood almost always has a straight grain, though the conditions the tree grows in will occasionally create unique patterns. The wood of Black Ash is relatively soft and flexible. The largest tree in North Dakota is 66 feet tall with a canopy spread of 34½ feet. © 2020 Meredith Corporation. Green and black ash, sweet gum, silver, and bigleaf maple, red cedar, pineapple, red is equal to 103 liters of liquid fuel ($222) What are the best trees for firewood? By pounding on the wood with a mallet, the weaker spring wood layer is crushed, allowing the tougher and darker summer wood layer to be peeled off in long strips. Black ash trees (Fraxinus nigra) are native to the northeast corner of the United States as well as Canada.They grow in wooded swamps and wetlands. Wildlife will come to visit this tree since birds and animals eat the seeds. The degree and availability of light-colored sapwood, and other properties, will vary according to the growing regions. The wood structure of black ash makes it a great choice for weaving, as it is pliable. It burns clean with no smoke and it throws few sparks. The best-known firewoods are white and red oak trees. The denser the wood, the less space it's given mass takes up and the greater a particular volume of firewood weighs. They provide generous amount of shade and canopies that make them ideal specimen trees that are pleasing to the eyes. Other Uses. Buy Ash Trees to bring an excellent source of shade and a beautiful golden fall color to your yard. The wood of the White Ash Tree is used in the making of baseball bats. Color/Appearance: The heartwood is a light to medium brown color. These beetles attack all native species of ash trees. Portaging canoeists, hunters, and trappers traditionally hunkered under the load of reliable packbaskets made of "basket" ash. Common Uses: Flooring, millwork, boxes/crates, baseball bats, and other turned objects such as tool handles. The color is darker (browner) in black ash than in white ashes. The black ash alone supports wood ducks, wild turkey, cardinals, pine grosbeaks, cedar waxwings, and yellow-bellied sapsuckers, with habitat and food (such as the sap being of interest to the sapsucker) among others. Ash is divided into two groups -- white and black. Although most of them are deciduous, some of them are evergreen. Harold Blue Ash. A large, old growth tree could be worth a million dollars, but the last of these was probably cut down more than 50 years ago. The lowest Janka rating for an ash wood is black ash at 850. Black Ash is unique among all trees in North America in that it does not have fibers connecting the growth rings to each other. The wood of Black Ash is relatively soft and flexible. Black Ash is the tree of choice for pounding of traditional Native American basketry. Emerald ash borer has threatened many of them. Minnesota is a good source if you look on craigslist. Ash trees (Fraxinus spp. The wood ashes of this tree are rich in potash, which is utilised as a soil fertilizer. Season wood by stacking it in place where air will circulate around and through the stack. All Rights Reserved. Pricing/Availability: Ash is among the least expensive utility hardwoods available domestically; it should compare similarly to oak in terms of price. Minnesota has more Ash trees than any other state, with nearly one million acres of Black Ash, mostly in the central and northeastern part of the state, where lowland forest types are abundant. Black Ash has a reddish color to the wood. Black Ash is commonly used in basket weaving. The wood of the White Ash Tree is used in the making of baseball bats. Description: Black ash is a slender tree, and does not grow to be as tall as white ash. Copyright © 2008-2020 Eric Meier | All Rights Reserved. Black Ash has a rich history in the Great North Woods. Black ash is a commercially sold wood and even though it is not as good as the white ashes, it is excellent for cabinets, furniture, etc. The process to season ash takes between six and 18 months. A tutorial of how to tell the America's 3 most common Eastern Ash trees apart. They can grow into tall shade trees. You will need to compare several plant characteristics, including the leaves, branches and seeds, to confidently identify an Ash tree. The energy content in BTU measures the heat that a certain amount of wood contains. With its black granite top and ultramodern fixtures, it was truly stunning. They are all oval shaped and taper to a slender tip. It can be easy to mistake an Ash tree for Black Walnut, Maple, Boxelder, Hickory or Dogwood trees. Black Locust. Black ash (Fraxinus nigra), a slow-growing tree of northern swampy woodlands, is the only ash native to Newfoundland. Danger in the Forest The Emerald Ash borer as invaded Eastern ash trees, making wood scarcer in those areas and quickly spreading to other parts of North America. Ash Tree Disease: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) The emerald ash borer is a metallic green wood boring beetle which is about 1 to 1.5 cm in length. Types of Ash Wood 1. Kids Corner. Trees and Shrubs Ashes Hickories Walnuts: Range map for Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra) PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State. In just 10 years, it has become the most destructive forest pest ever seen in North America. Wood-Boring Beetles in Ash Trees. Norse mythology refers to it as The World Tree and claims the first man came from ash and burning ash as a Yule log assures a prosperous year ahead. Ash produces fewer sparks than Black Locust, Hickory, and Mulberry Ash produces worse coals compared with all of the other firewoods in our top tier category (e.g. Fraxinus nigra. Few trees, though, can match its aggressiveness in sending out a massive root system. Black Locust. Black Ash is a small to medium size tree usually growing to 65 feet in height with a trunk diameter of 1 to 2 feet. The strips are subsequently collected and woven into baskets. Alt Text: … The 40 to 70 species of ash trees are native to Central and North America. Indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlandsalso make bark baskets from black ash, traditionally used for be… Blue ash has a Janka rating of 2,030. ), although oaks have much wider rays, which are visible on all wood surfaces—even on flatsawn surfaces, where they appear as short, thin brown lines between the growth rings. It seldom reaches over 50 feet (16 m) or a diameter of 1 foot (30 cm). Other common names, swamp ash, basket ash, brown ash, hoop ash, and water ash, indicate some of its characteristics and uses. According to black ash tree information, the trees grow slowly and develop into tall, slender trees with attractive feather-compound leaves. The black ash has a lifespan of up to a century and does not tolerate shade. The trees grow in cool and warm climates, on moist, well drained soil, and in areas that provide enough direct sunlight. Image Title: Blue ash tree. The wood from the hickory family of trees, which includes pecan trees, is also very dense and prized for use as firewood, being of similar quality to oak. You can identify a Black Ash by looking at the leaves, bark and overall shape of the tree. So the black ash has few close neighbors. To this point, it has been an economical wood that was always readily available. This rapidly growing tree is popular for making baseball bats and tool handles do to its strength and flexibility. A large, old growth tree could be worth a million dollars, but the last of these was probably cut down more than 50 years ago. Ash is a great craft wood, but best known as the wood of choice for baseball bats. Ash trees (Fraxinus spp. ), with their high, conical or oval canopies and relatively nonaggressive root systems are a good choice streetside or in large yards. It has compound leaves with pointed leaflets that turn yellow in the fall. The Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive species from Asia, has rapidly expanded throughout Ontario and Quebec. A fierce competitor, the tree sucks up water and nutrients at a rate that, over the long run, other trees can't match. The Black Ash is a tree of wet places. Woodworkers like the white ash because it can be bent into various shapes without jeopardizing its strength.The white ash will commonly grow between 70-80 feet tall and likes rich, moist, well drained soils. Green Ash and Black Ash trees are preferentially attacked by the insects, followed by White Ash and Blue Ash. White ash and black ash both have gray, smooth bark when young, but diverge in appearance as they age. Blue ash has a Janka rating of 2,030. It grows in much of southeastern Canada, the Great Lakes Region, and the northeastern-most states. The ash tree symbolizes the World Tree―a tree that joined the three worlds: the underworld, the middle earth, and the spiritual realm. (This lack of density is favored for use in electric guitar bodies, and the term “Swamp Ash” is used loosely to describe pieces of ash that have low densities and good acoustic properties.). Had a black ash in the front yard, and it was good too, but White Ash is the best. FYI: I receive a commission on sales generated through links to Amazon, eBay, etc. And in its springtime rush to grow, the tree puts on a layer of large-pored earlywood. Ash is known for its staining potential and ability to mimic oak. For example, if it’s strained or succumbs to a pest, that can impact the appearance of the grain. Black Walnut 20.0; Oregon Ash 20.0; Red or White Alder 14.8; and American Aspen 13.7; Ash firewood ranks very well! Wood brown, soft, heavy, tough, splitting into annual layers along the porous spring wood. Sapwood can be very wide, and tends to be a beige or light brown; not always clearly or sharply demarcated from heartwood. And in its springtime rush to grow, the tree puts on a layer of large-pored earlywood.