The Ash has high conservation value. It is a tall tree with an airy canopy and short leaf stay. The trunks are straight and smooth with grey-green bark. In France, Ash covers a total of 360 000 ha. of sustainably managed forest. Trees are harvested around 80 years of age.
Wood description
Sawn timber has a straight silver grain. It is cream white in colour with indistinctive heartwood. If present, grey heart does not impair the wood’s mechanical characteristics.
Preserving
Ash is quite eas to impregnate and after treatment it can be used as Class 3 timber (able to tolerate a humid atmosphere).
Physical and mechanical properties
Ash has exceptional physical properties. Its long fibres confer high levels of elasticity and resistance.
| Average density | 720 kg/mᶟ |
| Total average volumetric shrinkage | 15.3 % |
| Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres | 34 N/mm² |
| Modulus of rupture under bending | 113 MPa |
| Breaking stress under axial compressionBreaking stress under axial compression | 51 MPa |
| Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending | 12 900 MPa |
Conditions of implementation
Main uses
Due to its attractive grain and its bending qualities it is also highly regarded for use in furniture, internal joinery and flooring, the production of veneer and light boats.
