Color: Heartwood is light tan to dark brown; sapwood is creamy white. Similar in appearance to white oak, but frequently more yellow.

Grain: Bold, straight, moderately open grain with occasional wavy figuring. Can have strong contrast in grain in plain sawn boards.

Variations Within Species & Grades:Sometimes confused with hickory; the zone of large pores is more distinctive in ash, similar to that of red oak.

Hardness/Janka: 1320; 2% harder than Northern Red Oak.

Durability: Elastic, hard; excellent shock resistance. Remains smooth under friction.

Sawing/Machining: Good machining qualities.

Sanding: Sands satisfactory.

Nailing: Good holding ability; good resistance to splitting.

Finishing: Stains well.