WoodSwatch · The Wood Ledger
White Ash
Fraxinus americana
Also known as: American Ash, Biltmore Ash
Technical Spec Sheet
2026-07-14
Reference grain swatch
- Janka Hardness
- 1,320 lbf (5,872 N)
- Avg. Dried Weight
- 670 kg/m³ (42 lb/ft³)
- Specific Gravity
- 0.6
- Type
- Hardwood
- Grain
- Straight, with prominent growth rings
- Texture
- Coarse
- Durability
- Moderately durable, perishable when in contact with ground
- Region
- North America
- Sustainability
- Caution — Threatened by emerald ash borer, declining availability
Overview
White Ash is among North America's most important hardwoods, renowned for its exceptional strength, shock resistance, and flexibility. It has been the premier choice for baseball bats and tool handles for over a century, though the species is now severely threatened by the invasive emerald ash borer beetle across its native range.
The heartwood is creamy white to light brown with a coarse, open-grained texture and prominent growth rings creating striking figure. Density averages 670 kg/m³ when dried with a Janka hardness of 1,320 lbf. The wood exhibits exceptional strength and shock resistance while remaining relatively lightweight, with straight grain throughout.
Workshop Notes
Blunting Effect
Low to moderate - generally kind to cutting edges
Gluing
Good gluing properties
Finishing
Good - accepts stains and finishes well
Steam Bending
Excellent steam bending characteristics, among the best
Scent
Mild, no distinctive odor
Assessment
Strengths
- Exceptional shock resistance
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- Excellent bending properties
- Good nail and screw holding
Weaknesses
- Low decay resistance
- Species threatened by emerald ash borer
- Can be prone to warping
Common Uses
Baseball bats · Tool handles · Sports equipment · Furniture · Flooring · Cabinets · Oars