Ash trees belong to the Fraxinus family, part of the olive tree family (Oleaceae). You can often find ash trees as shade, on lawns, or along streets. Believe it or not, at one time, they were the most commonly planted trees in cities across North America.
You can spot ash trees by their unique characteristics – branches that grow directly across each other (not many trees do this) and clusters of leaflets.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the diversity of ash wood and its many applications.
The Common Types of Ash Trees
Although there are many Ash trees, here are the most common types.
- Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra)
Black ash is perfect for weaving due to its pliable wood structure.
It’s native to eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It grows well in cold, wet locations.
Other characteristics:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 6
- Mature Size: 50 to 80 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, sandy, loamy; acidic to slightly alkaline
- Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
Green ash, common in eastern and northern North America, is a resilient choice for urban areas. It’s tolerant of pollution and salt, but it is susceptible to the emerald ash borer.
Other characteristics:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
- Mature Size: 50 to 70 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; acidic to slightly alkaline
- White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
White ash has a distinct diamond-patterned bark and vibrant purplish-yellow leaves in the fall. It is also known as Biltmore ash and is the largest of native ash trees.
Unfortunately, it’s severely affected by the emerald ash borer.
Other characteristics:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
- Mature Size: 60 to 80 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Rich, loamy, moist, well-draining; acidic to slightly alkaline
- Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata)
Blue ash’s name is due to its blue inner bark. It’s suitable for dry locations and has some resistance to emerald ash borer, making it unique.
Other characteristics:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 7
- Mature Size: 50 to 75 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, loamy; acidic to alkaline
- California Ash (Fraxinus dipetala)
The California ash, or two-petal ash, is a drought-resistant shrub or small tree with fragrant white flowers. It’s yet to be affected by emerald ash borer in its native range but is at risk as the beetle spreads.
Other characteristics:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
- Mature Size: Up to 20 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; acidic to alkaline
- Carolina Ash (Fraxinus caroliana)
Carolina ash, native to wetlands in North Carolina and South Carolina, does well in shady conditions and is ideal for stabilizing wetland areas. It is yet unaffected by the emerald ash borer but may be at risk.
Other characteristics:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
- Mature Size: 30 to 40 feet
- Light: Full sun to partial
- Soil Needs: Moist soil; adapts to many types; acidic to neutral
- European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
European ash (as the name suggests) is a widespread tree in Europe. It’s also known as common ash. While it is less attractive to the emerald ash borer, it is still susceptible.
Other characteristics:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
- Mature Size: 60 to 80 feet; sometimes taller
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained; loam; acidic to slightly alkaline
- Gregg’s Ash (Fraxinus greggii)
Gregg’s ash, a large shrub native to desert terrain in Arizona, can be trained into a small tree and is drought-tolerant. It’s yet to be affected by the emerald ash borer in its native range.
Other characteristics:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 10
- Mature Size: 15 to 20 feet
- Light: Full sun to partial
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; neutral to alkaline
- Manna Ash (Fraxinus ornus)
Manna ash, named after its sweet sap extract, is native to southern Europe and southwestern Asia. It has impressive flower displays but is susceptible to emerald ash borer.
Other characteristics:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
- Mature Size: 40 to 50 feet tall
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Sandy, loamy, clay; moist or dry; mildly acid to neutral to mildly alkaline
- Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia)
Oregon ash is native to the western regions of North America, including Washington, Oregon, and northern California.
This medium to large deciduous tree typically grows to 40–80 feet, with a rounded and open crown. Its pinnately compound leaves feature 7 to 11 leaflets with serrated edges.
Oregon is unique due to its adaptability, allowing it to thrive in various conditions.
Characteristics of Ash Wood
Ashwood has several defining characteristics:
- Heartwood and Sapwood: Different ash types exhibit variations in heartwood and sapwood color.
- Grain Patterns: Ash wood’s grain can be straight or sport distinctive cathedral patterns, adding character to your projects.
- Color Variation: Ash wood’s palette ranges from pale yellow to light brown and even blue-tinged, offering aesthetic choices.
- Strength and Flexibility: Ash wood combines strength and flexibility, making it perfect for various applications.
Versatile Uses of Ash Wood
- Furniture Making
Ash is a top choice for crafting furniture, including tables, chairs, and cabinets. Its strength and beautiful grain make it a preferred material for furniture designers.
- Flooring
Ashwood’s durability and attractive appearance make it a popular choice for flooring, ensuring your space remains beautiful and functional.
- Cabinetry
With its diverse color options and grain patterns, ash wood complements a wide range of cabinetry styles, from kitchens to bathrooms.
- Millwork
Ashwood is commonly used in custom millwork, adding a touch of elegance to your architectural projects.
- Crafts and Decorative Woodwork
Ashwood’s unique grain patterns and color variations make it a preferred choice for crafting baskets, canes, and other decorative items.
- Tool Handles
Due to its durability and strength, Ashwood is ideal for crafting tool handles, ensuring long-lasting performance. Such handles include sports equipment such as baseball bats and tennis rackets.
Conclusion
Ashwood’s versatility, strength, and unique appearance make it a valuable resource in various industries. Whether you’re creating furniture, flooring, or sports equipment, the diverse types of ash wood provide several options to bring your vision to life.
At Tropical Forest Products, we’re committed to offering you a variety of wood species, including ash, for all your project needs.
So, if you are looking for hardwood suppliers, contact us today at (855) 344-4500.
