The Fraxinus species, commonly known as Ash, is a highly desirable choice for heating due to its dependable qualities, including a clean burn and substantial heat output. Historically, Ash has been valued for its physical properties, making it a preferred material for tool handles and sporting equipment like baseball bats.
The Distinctive Look of Ash Wood
When split, the interior face of Ash wood presents a pale, bright appearance that helps distinguish it from darker hardwoods. The color is typically a light tan, cream, or nearly white, often with a subtle hint of light brown in the heartwood.
Ash wood is defined by a straight, prominent grain pattern that runs cleanly along the length of the wood. It is classified as a ring-porous hardwood, meaning the large pores that form the first growth ring of the season are clearly visible on the cross-section of the log. Unlike woods with a fine, closed grain, Ash has an open grain that gives the cut surface a slightly coarse yet smooth texture to the touch.
The difference in color between the inner heartwood and the outer sapwood is often minimal in Ash, contributing to its overall light and clear look. This visual characteristic is a reliable way to confirm its identity once the wood has been processed for burning.
Identifying Ash Logs and Bark
Identifying Ash before it is split involves examining the bark and the log rounds, which display unique structural features. The bark of mature Ash trees is characterized by deep, interlacing ridges that form a distinct diamond or netted pattern. This texture is often described as resembling woven rope or the hide of an alligator, particularly on older logs.
On younger trees, the bark may be smoother and a light gray color, but as the tree ages, the deep furrows develop.
Looking at the log rounds, or the end grain, reveals Ash’s ring-porous structure clearly. The growth rings are marked by a band of large, clearly defined pores that were created during the spring growth.
This ring-porous nature makes the growth rings stand out distinctly, helping to differentiate Ash from diffuse-porous hardwoods like Maple, where the pores are distributed more evenly. While the bark is the most obvious visual cue on an intact log, the end grain provides scientific confirmation of the wood’s structure.
Handling and Processing Characteristics
The physical properties of Ash wood make it notably cooperative during the preparation process. It exhibits a medium-high density, which translates to a moderate weight, making it manageable to handle and stack without the excessive heaviness of woods like Oak.
Ash wood is known for its straight, even grain, which contributes to its reputation for being easy to split. A chopping axe or hydraulic splitter typically passes through the wood cleanly and without great resistance.
A significant characteristic of Ash is its comparatively low moisture content even when freshly cut, or “green.” While many hardwoods start with a moisture content of 35% or more, some Ash species naturally have a lower initial water level, sometimes in the low to mid-20% range. This lower starting point means Ash requires a shorter seasoning time than many other dense woods to reach the recommended burnable moisture content of 20% or less.
Performance as Firewood
Ash wood is highly prized for its performance in a fireplace or wood stove. It offers a high heat output, with a typical value around 24.2 million British Thermal Units (BTU) per cord for White Ash. This substantial energy content ensures the fire throws a comforting and pervasive warmth into a room.
The wood burns cleanly, producing a bright, lively flame and a minimal amount of smoke. Low smoke production is not only more pleasant but also reduces the buildup of creosote in the chimney, a sticky residue that poses a safety hazard.
Ash has the quality of burning reasonably well even when not perfectly seasoned, a trait sometimes attributed to its low initial moisture content. While a fully dried piece is always recommended for maximum efficiency and safety, this forgiving nature makes it dependable in a pinch. Once fully seasoned, Ash leaves behind a good bed of coals that continue to radiate heat long after the flames have died down.