Ash - Fraxinus excelsior
Uses:
Because ash is the toughest native timber, it was
traditionally used for making weapons - spear handles - and
agricultural tools. Suitable for furniture making, with excellent
bending properties, therefore ideal for parts of chairs. Also used for
sports goods, e.g., for the handles of tennis and other racquets. Can
also be used for interior joinery, e.g., for stairs.
Availability of Scottish Ash:
Ash is widespread in Scotland, growing well in both
upland and lowland woodlands. Planks will usually have a fair amount of
colour in the heartwood, in contrast to paler European ash. Ash is
available from most ASHS members. Boards of Scottish ash are typically
between 2 and 4 metres long and up to 500mm wide, although they often
split from the bottom.
Strength and Structure
Grain: generally straight grained.
Strength: Comparable to European
Beech, but famed for its toughness - ash is the toughest native
British hardwood - meaning it has the best resistance to shock. Slow
grown ash will be less strong than ash that is grown at an average
rate, as it has a higher proportion of porous early wood.
Density: Variable according to growing conditions, from 510-830kg per cubic metre: average density is 690kg / cubic metre.
Durability and Drying: Heartwood is
perishable and liable to attack by forest longhorn and Buprestid
beetles. Also liable to attack by powder-post and common furniture
beetles. Should be dried slowly to minimise distortion; doesn't tend to
split or check, but will crack from the base.
Structure: Ash is ring porous, with
growth rings distinguished by early wood vessels and terminal
parenchyma. Parenchyma are generally yellow in contrast to wood fibres
that are pinky brown. Late wood vessels not visible to the naked eye.
Ash rays are fine and inconspicuous.
 Colour and Figure: White to light
brown, sapwood not distinguishable from heartwood, sometimes irregular
dark brown heart. Figure characterised by contrasting early and late
growth, particularly in crown cut boards.
Working Properties:
Moderate blunting on tools, generally satisfactory
sawing - some tendency to bind when green - also satisfactory machining
and gluing. Pre-boring required for nailing. Ash finishes smoothly and
takes all finishes well.
Ash- The Tree
Looks and Leaves: Potentially
a very tall tree, up to 43 metres, but more typically around 12-18
metres tall. It's broadly conical with an open canopy. Ash bark is pale
grey and smooth in young trees, becoming furrowed in ridges as the tree
ages. Leaves are up to 300mm long, pinnate, with 7 to 13 stalkless
leaflets on a central stalk. Leaflets are elliptical, with toothed
margins and are between 15-120mm long, dark green above, pale below.
The leaves open late and fall early, while still green. Ash buds are
conspicuous and dark; the flowers are small and purple, have neither
petals nor fragrance, occurring in auxiliary clusters, which open
before the leaves. Pollination and seed dispersal takes place by wind;
ash seeds may stay viable for up to 6 years.
Habitat: Relatively intolerant of
cold in winter. Seedlings have a tolerance of shade; favours moist
soils and won't grow on very acid or poor soils
Ecological Value: Ash is a
hospitable tree - at least 68 phytophagous invertebrates are associated
with ash as well as insects from five families. Seeds are palatable to
mice and voles. Fruit form an important part of the diet of bullfinches
before egg-laying.
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