Ash wood- what can be done with it?

[WelshJayne]

On 08/03/2021 at 12:57, tree_beard said:

Problem being, ash die back quite rapidly changes the structure of the wood. Most of the traditional uses of ash rely on its strength and flexibility, which are lost once die back set in.

 

If it doesn't all shatter when it hits the deck, then it's probably still good for flooring, but firewood and biomass are going to be your easiest sell.

Is there a way of telling how brittle it becomes? A denisty check of some sort?

[the village idiot]

On 08/03/2021 at 09:06, Rough Hewn said:

Think of ash like elm.
In a few years time they’ll be gone.
Ash will become a rare and valuable timber.
Mill it, stack it in dry barns and wait.

If you were milling up Ash for future sale to persons unknown what dimensions would you cut to?

 

We are in a position to slab up a lot of Ash but I don't know what thickness would leave our options most open.

 

 

[Rough Hewn]

If you were milling up Ash for future sale to persons unknown what dimensions would you cut to?
 
We are in a position to slab up a lot of Ash but I don't know what thickness would leave our options most open.
 
 

The thicker the better.
It can always be resawn.
3”,4” +
[emoji106]

[Khriss]

4 hours ago, WelshJayne said:

Is there a way of telling how brittle it becomes? A denisty check of some sort?

Not easily. Big problem with Ash for the tool handle people. K

[ESS]

5 hours ago, WelshJayne said:

Is there a way of telling how brittle it becomes? A denisty check of some sort?

As with all timber that dies standing Ash loses its natural properties. 

There are words and terms used in the round timber / sawmilling trade that describes timber that has turned past it's best , "dotey" and "frammy" are the ones i am familiar with.

Anyone that is familiar with cutting standing timber on a regular basis would be able to tell the difference from colouration etc , from the felling cuts at the base of the tree. In the case of Ash , as was the case with Elm it was more to do with how many growing seasons the tree had been dead or on its way out. The outward appearance of the tree standing impacts on the internal appearance of the timber that is caused by deterioration.

[topchippyles]

3 hours ago, the village idiot said:

If you were milling up Ash for future sale to persons unknown what dimensions would you cut to?

 

We are in a position to slab up a lot of Ash but I don't know what thickness would leave our options most open.

 

 

Cut all mine at 55/110 mm thick 

[topchippyles]

On 04/03/2021 at 14:23, WelshJayne said:

This is for community woodlands so whilst money is important it isn't always the biggest factor, as alot of the work they do is "free" as in the don't charge for their time.

I have emailed suzy jayne from the sirhowy group and will let you know if i get a reply cheers les 

Edited March 19, 2021 by topchippyles