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English Ash Sawn Timber

Ash has traditionally been used for furniture making, for tools and sports equipment and in specialist applications. It’s flexibility and straight grain make it one of the best woods for curved components.

Species

Fraxinus excelsior

Source

England

Surface finish

Waney edge sawn boards

Sizes

Width range: 150mm – 250mm +

About English Ash Sawn Timber

Prized for its beautiful appearance, toughness and flexibility, ash is the ideal wood for fitted and free-standing furniture. A native English species, it has been used for centuries in traditional furniture making and in more specialist applications such as sports equipment and car chassis. Its flexibility and straight grain make it one of the best woods for forming curved components such as the backs of Windsor chairs.
Appearance
Waney edge boards of ash will be supplied with wane (bark) on one or two edges.
The sap wood of ash is indistinguishable from the heart wood which ranges in colour from pale cream to light straw, with occasional small black mineral streaks.
The flat cut boards are particularly attractive because of their unusual flowery patterns while the straight grained centre boards, although less visually appealing, are prized for their workability and bending capacity.
Ash trees will often develop a barrel of darker ‘olive’ coloured wood around their heart which, in older trees, can develop to become a large proportion of the heart wood which is highly desirable because of its decorative properties.

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Technical Specification

Common name Ash
Family Oleaceae
Genus Fraxinus excelsior
Unit of sale M3 (Cubic meters) (1M3 = 35.315 Ft3)
Kiln dried weight Approx 710 KG / M3
Specification Supplied in waney edge sawn boards
Width range: 150mm – 250mm +
Dimensions
Description Board
thickness (mm)
Board
thickness ()
Kiln dried boards 27 / 32 / 41 / 54 / 65 1 / 1¼ / 1½ / 2 / 2½
Kiln dried boards 80 / 100 3 / 4
Moisture content
Description Board
thickness (mm)
Moisture
content
Kiln dried Boards 27 – 54 10 – 14%
Kiln dried Boards 65 – 100 12 – 18%
Durability BS EN350-2.  Non durable.  Perishable
Workability + Easy to work. High capacity for bending and shaping
   Can spring after cutting

Grading

English ash is available in the following grades but please note that not all thicknesses are available in all the grades:

First Joinery

This is our standard joinery grade where only occasional knots up to 40mm diameter are accepted. The grain may be slightly angled and some colour variation is likely. Larger knots and defects will be measured out. Centre splits are accepted but a suitable reduction in measure will be applied. Accepted: Grain deviation, occasional knots up to 40mm, olive colouring. Other isolated defects if measured out. Not accepted: Curly grain, rot, bark pockets, excessive worm attack.

Second framing

This grade is suitable for the frames of covered furniture where strength is more important than visual appeal. Knots and defects are accepted providing there is a good proportion of cutting available. Centre splits are accepted but a suitable reduction in measure will be applied. Accepted: All knots and defects. Not accepted: Rot, excessive worm attack.

 

Insect attack

Emerald Ash Borer feeds on the cambium layer between the bark and sapwood. This usually does not affect the heartwood.

Fixings

Stainless steel nails, Pre-drill boards to avoid splitting.

Fire

Euroclass F (Untested). D-s2, d0

Disclaimer

While the utmost care has been taken to provide accurate information, Vastern Timber shall not be held responsible for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions on this website nor for any damages resulting from the use of the information.

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