Expert: Daniel Humphrey - 3/18/2008

Question
Hello again,  I just realized you are a timberframer.  I am building my own
home and have a woodmizer sawmill which I will be cutting my own timbers
with.  I have a supply of Black Cherry logs and White Ash Logs which i would
like to use, but I have never heard of White Ash being used for timber frames.  
Are you familiar with this species at all?? My question is why are there not
more frames made from White Ash, it is a tall clear straight grained species.  
If the hearts are boxed it seems to be stable...???
Thanks again!
David  

Answer
David,

I have a Woodmizer also--LT40. It's quite the beam cutter, isn't it?

Ash around here is too small; so it isn't one of the species I've worked with, though it is often mentioned as a species used for odd pieces in old timber frames. It does seem to have the qualities you would want. I do know that ash is flexible and heavy when wet and takes a set as it dries; so it doesn't have its full strength and resistance to deflection right away.

I would use it sparingly for the first time, as posts and braces, and see how it does before I'd use it extensively, especially as flying members like joists, beams, and rafters.

Good luck.

Dan