Let’s talk about Ash wood and Ash timber.
As such we feel we need to fill you in on the hot topics for the Ash wood species…
In at no.1 we have ‘homegrown vs. imported’ and hovering at no.2 is Chalara Fraxinea (Ash dieback disease). We thought you’d want to know so we might as well get it over with up front and then you go about your day thinking only positive Ash wood thoughts. Ok…
Homegrown Ash Wood vs Imported Ash
Imported hardwoods will always have an important place in furniture making, construction and specialist woodcraft. They allow makers to take on projects that would be impossible with some homegrown species – think dense, durable Greenheart for wharf building, or Wenge for its deep, oily colour in high-end furniture.
We import timber from Europe ourselves.
But, the hard truth is, the ease of importing has contributed to the neglect of British forestry and homegrown timber industries. Imported supplies have gradually taken the place of our own Ash timber.
Ash is a classic example.
A report from Grown in Britain and the Forestry Commission found that, although our homegrown Ash is the same species as that currently imported from the continent (UK White Ash has a similar appearance and properties to N.Am White Ash), it accounts for less than 10% of the UK Ash supply. Current imports of Ash wood amount to approximately 25,000m3 per annum, but the big news is that there is potential for the UK to supply over 70,000m3 per annum.
70,000 m3 of Ash wood per year!
That’s a lot of wood for British furniture makers, builders, joiners, kitchen makers, yachtbuilders, car companies… you name it, they all use Ash planks.
This is hard for us sawmills and foresters to hear but we know that, with the awareness of the need for woodland management, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The UK has the potential to supply three times more Ash timber than the total current usage. That is an exciting thought, and we’re working on it!
Alongside Grown in Britain, Forestry England, CONFOR and our other forest industry partners, we think the future is bright, which might surprise you – considering our next topic – but it’s true.
Ash Dieback
Yes, our poor old Fraxinus excelsior trees are under attack from tree disease, Chalara Fraxinea.
It’s worrying, of course. Right now, the disease affects mainly saplings and young, vulnerable trees. Mature trees, those due to reach usable size over the next 1-30 years, are largely unaffected.
Our foresters (and the greater UK forest industry) do not foresee a reduction in the supply of Ash timber for sale anytime soon.
Rather, we see the Ash tree and its beautiful wood produce as part of the revitalisation of our UK Forest and Timber Industries*
Even if a large felling operation were needed in the future, the limited number of active sawmills working with English logs means we could hold significant stocks and continue producing high-quality Ash boards and boules well into the future (and beyond!).
We are yet to see what fate has in store for the Ash wood species as a whole but we’re monitoring the situation daily.
Ash Dieback Update – May 2019 via Sylva.org.uk
It was 7 years ago when we first heard our native Ash tree had suffered a devastating blow with the discovery of Chalara Fraxinea.
Now scholars at Sylva Foundation, Fera Science, Oxford University & the Woodland Trust have published a paper that predicts that Ash Dieback – the fungal disease brought to the UK by infected imported Ash trees – will have an economic cost of £15 billion, the first £7 billion of which will be spent over the next 10 years.
Heartbreaking on so many levels and we still don’t know how this will play out.
You can buy the paper here or watch this space for more news.
http://bit.ly/CostofAshDieback
If you’re worried, here’s a link on how to identify Ash Dieback http://bit.ly/identifyashdieback
Get the official Forest Research guide to Charala here https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/pest-and-disease-resources/ash-dieback-hymenoscyphus-fraxineus/
Keep up with the Living Ash Project at https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/living-ash-project-phase-i-lap/
But in the meantime… let’s think positive and talk more Ash!
So what’s in a Name?
Fraxinus Excelsior is the botanical name for our homegrown Ash, a tree which is actually an Oleaceae (of the olive family – this is interesting as you’ll see later.) Fraxinus Excelsior, otherwise known to us as Ash, is also what’s referred to as European Ash or common Ash and this is meant to distinguish it from other types?!
Not confusing at all!
Describing Ash Wood (the official line)
Here we go. So, we talk about Ash wood, a native hardwood, as light cream in colour, occasionally with olive green (Oleaceae see!) or brown streaks. We’d say it has medium coarse grain, is not durable, has medium movement/stability. It’s heavy, dense and resistant to splitting. Has medium resistance to cutting, works well with hand or machine tools. Ash wood can be glued, painted, stained or polished.
In the real world, it’s much more exciting than that. It may be a common native hardwood but that’s the last time I’ll use the word ‘common’ as a description!
Ash is a real showstopper.
It has grain patterns to WOW (crown boards are the best, but ssshhhh.. don’t tell everyone) and a creamy sheen when pale and ‘white’ but when coloured, it is oh-so striking. Swathes of reddy browns give a vivid colour along the grain or subtle khaki, olivey greys (that Oleaceae again!) wash through the heart.
What’s more, it’s a really solid, smooth wood. Knots aren’t very common.. amazing huh? And the sizes of boards can be outstanding (the last Ash to come out of the kiln was 80mm thick and 800 – 1000mm wide!!), which makes it fantastic for one-piece table tops, desktops and surface tops.
On top of all those incredible qualities, Ash is an absolute steal. Even though our poor old Ash trees are under attack from Chalara Fraxinea!
What are the typical Ash board dimensions?
We regularly cut Ash logs over the sawing season and we try to keep a balanced stock of all the regular joinery thicknesses: 20, 27, 34, 41, 54, 65, 80 and 100mm through and through boards.
This starts out in complete boules and they vary from 2m to 6m in length, which is probably the maximum we can fit in the kiln right now (new kilns anyone?). Board widths can be very slim (great floorboards from the crown) but centre boards can be seriously wide at around 6-800mm. You’ve seen those big Ash trees around right?
Take a look at current stock sizes
What is ash wood used for?
Ash Timber is a supremely good interior joinery timber, great for doors, staircases, architraves, skirting and the like.
It excels in fine furniture, bespoke kitchens and makes stunning flooring. It is genuinely one of the best all-round hardwoods available.
Its only drawback is natural durability – Ash timber won’t survive outside unless modified (heat-treated or chemically treated). If exterior Ash wood appeals to you, just ask. We can help source the right solution.
How easy is it to source Ash timber?
Our stock is your stock. It is for you to pick and choose as and when you need it. What’s listed as stock is available to buy.
However… if you don’t see what you need? Well then, depending on how quickly you need it, we’ll either find you some or we’ll cut you some. Bespoke sawing is something we do regularly for furniture-making clients so we’re very happy to do it for you too. You can have Ash boules cut to your own spec and if you need it we’ll keep them and dry them for you too.
