This tree is common in damp districts and by the banks of rivers. The wood is soft, of an even yellow colour, slightly tinged with red when seasoned, but is white when first cut down. The annual ring is not very distinct, but the medullary ray can be detected by its slight lustre, although nearly the same colour as the annual ring. This wood is tough and fairly strong, but is not very stiff.

It is durable under water or entirely buried in the ground, but soon rots except in dry places, and is very much subject to the attack of worms.

Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is found very generally throughout the northern temperate zone of both the Old and New Worlds. The appearance of the wood varies in different countries.

English Ash has very twisted grain, is of a light brown colour, and occasionally almost white. There is a strong contrast between the spring and autumn wood in the annual rings, due to the porous nature of the former, which is of a lighter colour than the autumn wood. The medullary ray is invisible. The sap-wood in this timber is not apparent in young wood, consequently little waste takes place in cutting it into planks or scantlings. In old wood, however, the heart becomes black, and is then of very little use.

Ash is remarkable for its toughness and flexibility, and when it is fairly straight grained is moderately easy to work, but when, as is usually the case in English ash, the wood is 'curly,' or twisted in the grain, it is very difficult, and is apt, if it is not thoroughly seasoned, to twist and warp.

When ash trees are felled they are at once quartered and even cut into planks, or numerous serious shakes would appear and quickly destroy the whole log.

Ash, owing to its great strength under sudden strains, is used for tool handles, spokes and felloes of wheels, and gymnastic apparatus.

Some better-marked ash is used for making furniture and for other ornamental purposes.

Indeed, pollard ash is sometimes purposely grown for this reason on account of the beauty of its grain.

Ash is very durable when in dry places, but soon rots when exposed to varied weathers, and is apt to snap suddenly.

American Ash can be distinguished from the English variety by its redder colour and straighter grain. In use, too, it is softer, owing to its long straight grain. American ash is much used for making oars and sweeps, where the English timber would be liable to warp and twist too much.

Hungarian Ash is entirely an ornamental wood, owing to its very twisted grain and the great contrast between the spring and autumn wood in the annual ring. This wood is beautiful, but from its twisted nature it is impossible to use it in thick pieces.

It is, therefore, usually cut into veneers and used on a foundation of some other wood.