ash wood (Fraxinus exelsior L.)

appeared on Earth around 10 mil. years ago, so before our first ancestors. Currently, its range extends around the whole Northern hemisphere in more than 65 species. Ash trees can reach up to 25-35 m. In Europe it is regarded as one of the most noble wild species of deciduous trees. Characterized by largely ranked, impressive trunk, it is a long-living tree, reaching up to 300 years. One of the oldest ash trees in Europe grows in Poland and is 414 years old, 28 m tall and of more that 7 m trunk diameter.

Ash wood is characterized by very zebra-like and veined wood pattern.

Irregular, rich discolouration from light brown stripes, through light yellow to even reddish-white heartwoods, make an ash tree a very decorative wood, especially in built-in furniture. Together with its durability, these properties make it highly valued in parquet or decorative veneer production. It was widely used in plane, train carriages and boat production. Currently, the ash wood is used for the production of ladder spokes or exclusive wooden sport equipment.