Fraser, the wood that absorbs shocks

If they are stained the same, it is virtually impossible to tell the difference between a piece of ash wood furniture and one made of oak. The design, the grain, the pores are very similar, the colour being the only difference between ash and oak. In terms of properties, however, the differences are much greater. For example, ash has the ability to absorb shocks without any consequences. That's why it's used to make hockey sticks and baseball bats.

Structure and properties of ash wood

Frasinus - Fraxinus - is a member of the Oleaceae family and although it seems unlikely, it is related to the olive and the lilac. There are 65-70 other ash trees and shrubs in the same family. The species found here is Fraxinus excelsior, also called European ash or common ash. It is found all over Europe, from northern Spain to Russia and from northern Greece to Norway, reaching as far as south-west Asia. It grows in moist, calcareous soils and is drought resistant. However, it does not like low temperatures and is therefore rarely found at altitudes above 2000 m. It doesn't like loneliness either, being in large numbers in the forest where it grows, dominating it.

The tree grows up to 30-35 m, exceptionally up to 40 m, with a diameter of 1.5-2 m (sometimes even 3 m). When young the bark is fine and smooth, with a greenish grey colour. As the bark matures it darkens, thickens and vertical cracks appear. The leaves open late in spring, sometimes after the flowers, which are dark purple. In autumn the leaves do not change colour and fall off at the first frost, retaining their green colour.

In cross-section, a broad area of yellowish cream to light brown sapwood is visible. The heartwood area is narrower and light to medium brown in colour. The young wood is lighter in colour, darkening as it matures. The difference between sapwood and heartwood is not always visible.

The fibre is straight and regular, with ripples rarely appearing. The texture is similar to oak. The annual rings are clearly defined and visible. The pores are large and rounded in the early wood area, being set in 2-4 rows. Pores in the latewood are small and solitary. The medullary rays are not visible to the naked eye and this is one of the features that distinguishes it from oak.

Ash stands out for its ability to absorb shocks without cracking

Ash wood is used both as solid wood and as veneer. It is not very resistant to decay and insect attack and is therefore not recommended for use in contact with the ground (fencing). Its main qualities are:

• shock resistance and ability to absorb shock without cracking
• flexibility (elasticity)
• light, almost white colour

Its elasticity and shock-absorbing capacity meant that in the past it was used to make skis and tennis rackets. Ash sleds are still made for dog racing in Scandinavia. It is also used to make hockey sticks, baseball bats, billiard cues and handles for tools and household implements (hammer, axe) because of its high shock resistance. It was for years the most widely used wood in the manufacture of sticks.

Being hard and elastic it is very good for floors and is also used in gyms because it absorbs shocks.

There are specialists who consider ash to be the most elastic European species. In any case, it is the most used species, after beech, for steam bending. One of the manufacturers of fine furniture that has placed great value on ash is Joseph Walsh. The distinctive steam-bent shapes, combined with the slightly yellowish white colour, have made his furniture pieces true works of art.

It is also used to make ordinary furniture without curved elements. It can easily be stained, but it is preferred to be used in its natural colour.

Due to its beautiful design and special colour it is also used in the manufacture of musical instruments. Electric and classical guitars are made, and it is a good material for making resonance boxes.

Ash wood is also beautifully worked by turning. Because of the design and colour it looks great when structured, brushing or sandblasting putting it to very good use.

It is also a very good firewood because it splits easily and has a low water content. In England in the past, when ash wood was used as fuel, it was cut immediately above ground and the stump left in the ground. New plants grew from it and after 10 years were cut down again.

Ash bark has also been used for years as a remedy in herbal therapies. It has astringent properties and has been used against fever, liver and biliary blockages, rheumatism and arthritis. Leaves and seeds are also used in herbal medicine. Perhaps this is why ash is considered by Nordic countries to be the tree of rebirth and healing.