Ash — Identification, Uses and Properties
Fraxinus excelsior L. Oleaceae
Sawn timber appearance grading No conventional grading rules for this species. Sawn products are graded according to final uses. Visual structure grading According to French standard NF B 52-001-1 (2011), strength class D40 can be provided by visual grading.
This wood is particularly
HARDWOOD EUROPE ARCHED GOODS
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Fraxinus excelsior L.
Family
Oleaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Esche (Germany), Fresno (Spain), Frêne (France), Frassino (Italy), Ash (United Kingdom), 18th century – Éric Orsini, Pézenas (France). (Pays de Bresse wardrobe in cherry wood and ash burr,)
Origin Region
Europe
Main End Uses
Arched goods · Turned goods · Coffins · Cabinetry (high-end furniture) · Tool handles (resilient woods) · Interior joinery · Flooring · Sliced veneer · Seats · Cooperage
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Creamy white
Texture
Coarse
Grain
Straight
Sapwood
Not demarcated
Interlocked Grain
Absent
Notes
Creamy white wood when fresh, it turns yellow with light. Sometimes wavy grain. Heart of some logs is marked with veins or black areas.
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Log Description
Tree height
65 – 115 ft
Tree height
20 – 35 m
Diameter
40 to 100 cm cm
Sapwood Thickness
Not applicable cm
Buoyancy
Not applicable
Log Conservation
Moderate (treatment recommended)
Diameter
15.7 to 39.4 in in
Sapwood Thickness
Not applicable in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.68 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
42.5 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
5.1
Janka Hardness
1,530 lbf
Janka Hardness
6,806 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.48 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
9.6 %
Radial Shrinkage
5.7 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.7
Fibre Saturation Point
32 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.23 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.133 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
17,850 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
7,674 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
51 MPa
Crushing Strength
7,397 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
113 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
16,389 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
12,900 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,870,987 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Class 5 - non-durableDry Wood Borers
Class S - susceptible (risk in all the wood)Termites
Class S - susceptibleTreatability
Class 2 - moderately treatable.Use Class
Class 1 - inside (no risk of dampness)Preservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
This wood requires appropriate preservation treatmentTemporary Humidification
This wood requires appropriate preservation treatmentNotes
This species is listed in the NF EN 350 standard. Cross sections of Fraxinus excelsiorDrying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Normal to slow
Risk Distortion
High risk
Risk Case Hardening
No known specific risk
Risk Checking
High risk
Risk Collapse
No known specific risk
Suggested Schedule
Schedule #4 (see explanatory note)
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Normal
Tooth For Sawing
Stellite-tipped
Machining Tools
Tungsten carbide
Suitability Peeling
Good
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Ash wood has a good aptitude for bending.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good but pre-boring necessary
Fire Safety & Ratings
French Grading Thick Gt14mm
M3 (moderately flammable) Thickness < 14 mm: M4 (readily flammable) Euroclass grading. D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
French Grading Thick Lt14mm
M4 (readily flammable) Euroclass grading. D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
Euroclass
D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
No trade restrictions
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