Distribution: The
North American range of White ash is reported to include
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island,
Quebec, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts,
Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi,
North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Iowa,
Illinois, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West
Virginia. The tree prefers moist soils of valleys and slopes,
particularly deep, well-drained loams. It is usually found
growing with many other hardwoods.
General Characteristics: White
ash is reported to be the largest and most important of
the 18 Ash species that are native to the United States.
Trees often attain heights of 70 to 80 feet (21 to 24 m),
with trunk diameters of 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm).
Boles are reported to be often straight and clear of branches
to 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 m). The heartwood is pale brown,
grayish brown, light brown or pale yellow streaked with
brown. The color may also be cream to very light brown,
occasionally with a reddish tinge; the narrow sapwood is
nearly white in color. Texture is normally coarse; the
grain is described as bold, straight, and moderately open
with an occasional wavy pattern. Plainsawn boards usually
have strong contrast in grain; lustrous. Ash is reported
to be typically free from taste and odor.
Weight: Basic specific gravity
(ovendry weight/green volume) 0.67; air-dry density N/A.
Working Properties: There
is very little cutting resistance. There is moderate blunting
effect on cutting tools. The wood is fairly easy to plane.
Turning properties are reported to be rather poor.
The wood is characteristically very easy to bore. Mortising
properties are reported to be poor. Under controlled conditions,
Ash is reported to glue with satisfactory results. White
ash is reported to possess good resistance to splitting,
and has good nail-holding properties. The timber has
fairly good screwing properties. The wood is reported to
have satisfactory sanding characteristics. Polishing
qualities are reported to be good. The wood has good staining
characteristics and is often finished in black. The wood
has satisfactory varnishing qualities. Painting properties
are reported to be satisfactory. The wood has satisfactory
or fairly good steam bending characteristics.
Durability: The heartwood
is reported to have little or no natural resistance to
attack by decay causing organisms and insects. The sapwood
is also susceptible to attack by powder post beetle and
fungi.
Preservation: The wood is
reported to respond well to preservative treatment.
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