Black Ash

Black Ash (F. americana pictured)

Common Name(s): Black Ash

Scientific Name: Fraxinus nigra

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: 37 lbs/ft³ (595 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .45

Hardness: 850 lb_f (3,780 N)

Bending Strength: 12,600 lb_f/in² (86,900 kPa)

Elasticity: 1,600,000 lb_f/in² (11,000 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 5.0%, Tangential: 7.8%, Volumetric: 15.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Color/Appearance: The heartwood is a light brown color, though darker shades can also be seen, which is sometimes sold as “olive ash.” Black Ash tends to be a bit darker in color than the White Ash (Fraxinus americana) pictured above.

Grain/Pore: Has a medium to coarse texture similar to oak. The grain is almost always straight and regular, though sometimes curly or figured boards can be found.

Durability: Heartwood is rated as perishable, or only slightly durable in regard to decay. Ash is also not resistant to insect attack.

Workability: Easy to work, and takes glues, stains, and finishes well.

Smell: Gives off a distinct, moderately unpleasant smell when being worked.

Safety: Ash in the Fraxinus genus has been reported to occasionally cause a decrease in lung function. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price Range: Ash is among the least expensive utility hardwoods available domestically; it should compare similarly to oak in terms of price.

Comments: Black Ash is one of a handful of species in the Fraxinus genus that are used as commercial lumber. It’s not quite as strong or dense as the related White Ash (Fraxinus americana).

Some common uses for ash include flooring, millwork, boxes/crates, baseball bats, and other turned objects such as tool handles.

Related Species:

Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata)

European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)

Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)

Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia)

Pumpkin Ash (Fraxinus profunda)

White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

Scans/Pictures: There are currently no pictures of this exact wood species, but a similar species within the Fraxinus genus is being substituted (F. americana). If you’d like to contribute a wood sample of this specific species to be scanned, (even small pieces of veneer can be sent), please use the contact form.

White Ash (sanded)