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 AND GRADES:
Sometimes confused with hickory; the zone of large pores is more distinctive in ash, similar to that of red oak.

ORIGIN:
North America.

GRADE:
Clear, Select, CW1, CW2.

HARDNESS (JANKA):
1320.

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY:
Above average.

NAILING:
No known problems.

SANDING:
Sands satisfactorily if the correct sanding sequence is followed.Suggested Sequence First Cut: 50 at a 7 to 15 degree angle to the grain Second Cut: 60 or 80 straight with the grain Third Cut: 80 or 100 Hard Plate: 100 Screen: 80 or 100

FINISHING:
May be difficult to stain.