Ash wood is a type of hardwood that is actually part of the olive family. American ash is gray-brown in color and European ash is creamy white to light brown. According to softschools.com Ash tree facts, “There are 45 to 65 species of ash trees that can be found in Europe, Asia and North America. Ash trees grow in cool and warm climates, on the moist well drained soil, in areas that provide enough direct sunlight.” Ash is an excellent wood for bending.
It is used extensively in various applications
- Furniture parts
- Products such as bent umbrella handles
- Bent parts for boat building.
It is an excellent wood for turning objects as well because it is very hard and resilient. Some examples of products that are done in ash include, but are not limited to:
- Tool handles
- Baseball bats
- Shovel handles
- Ax handles
It is also a good dowel wood. Some examples of this application include, but are not limited to:
- Poles
- Bars
- Broomsticks
- Ladder rungs.
Another interesting thing to note is that because it is tasteless, it is also often used to turn wood bowls.
One really amazing use is that Ash is many times used as the body of acoustic and electric guitars.
One great legend per the softschools.com is “According to the old Viking legend, Yggdrasil, also known as the Tree of the World, touches hell with its roots and heaven with its crown. Vikings also believed that mythological god Odin created first man on earth using the ash tree.”
To learn more about various species, visit our wood specie page.
