Black Ash
Fraxinus nigra
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
Softer and more pliable than white ash, with a long history in basketry and snowshoes thanks to its splittable growth rings. Lighter and easier to work than its cousin.
Commonly built
- Baskets
- Snowshoes
- Bent furniture
- Woven chair seats
Appearance
Light grayish-brown heartwood with a coarse, ring-porous grain like white ash, but softer in tone and texture; pale sapwood.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Works much like white ash but softer and lighter. Growth rings separate easily, traditionally pounded into splints for baskets and chair seats. Steam-bends well. Glues and finishes well.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn black ash panel moves roughly 0.43 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Black Ash move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Black Ash?
Black Ash has a Janka hardness of 850 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Black Ash suitable for outdoor use?
Black Ash is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Black Ash to work with?
Black Ash has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Black Ash move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn black ash panel moves roughly 0.43 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used black ash, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.