WoodSwatch · The Wood Ledger
Black Ash
Fraxinus nigra
Also known as: Brown Ash, Hoop Ash, Swamp Ash
Technical Spec Sheet
2026-07-14
Reference grain swatch
- Janka Hardness
- 850 lbf (3,781 N)
- Avg. Dried Weight
- 530 kg/m³ (33 lb/ft³)
- Specific Gravity
- 0.49
- Type
- Hardwood
- Grain
- Straight, ring-porous with prominent growth rings
- Texture
- Medium to coarse
- Durability
- Low natural durability; susceptible to decay and insect attack
- Region
- North America
- Sustainability
- Endangered — Critically threatened by Emerald Ash Borer infestation across North America
Overview
Black Ash is a North American hardwood prized for its exceptional flexibility and historic role in Indigenous basket-weaving traditions. Softer than White Ash, it thrives in swampy lowland environments. Its supply is now critically threatened by the Emerald Ash Borer, making conservation a pressing concern for woodworkers.
Ring-porous hardwood with a Janka hardness of 850 lbf and air-dried density around 530 kg/m³. Growth rings are wide and clearly defined. The wood is notably flexible along the grain, splitting cleanly into thin strips — the basis of its basket-weaving heritage.
Workshop Notes
Blunting Effect
Low — generally easy on tool edges
Gluing
Good adhesion with most woodworking adhesives
Finishing
Accepts stains and finishes well; open grain may benefit from a pore filler for gloss work
Steam Bending
Excellent steam bending — one of the best native North American species for bending
Scent
Mild, pleasant woody scent when worked
Assessment
Strengths
- Excellent flexibility and shock resistance
- Superior steam bending
- Traditional basket-weaving material
- Good gluing and finishing
Weaknesses
- Low natural durability
- Critically threatened by Emerald Ash Borer
- Supply increasingly restricted
Common Uses
Traditional basket weaving · Furniture · Flooring · Tool handles · Sports equipment