Mountain ash can be used for protected structural applications such as timber framing but being a non durable hardwood it is more commonly used for flooring furniture and high value joinery.
Is mountain ash a hardwood.
However though mountain ash as a species is not threatened there s controversy surrounding its harvesting in australia because its forests provide habitat for other birds and mammals some of which are endangered or threatened.
The best known species is the european rowan sorbus aucuparia a small tree typically 4 12 m tall growing in a variety of habitats throughout northern europe and in mountains in southern europe and southwest asia its berries are a favourite food for many birds and are a traditional wild collected food in britain and scandinavia it is one of the hardiest european trees occurring to 71.
It is a straight trunked tree with smooth grey bark but with a stocking of rough brown bark at the base glossy green lance shaped to curved adult leaves flower buds in groups of between nine and fifteen.
Other applications include mouldings weatherboards handles cooperage paper pulp and in the manufacture of plywood.
Mountain ash is a hardwood timber sourced from north east victoria and produces a beautiful blonde hardwood timber with little or no defects.
Ash wood flooring has a similar bold grain like oak with the heartwood being light tan to dark brown and sapwood creamy white.
Northern white ash hardwood flooring is a durable species with a janka hardness rating of 1320 and above average dimensional stability.
Common uses for this timber is high quality furniture pieces such as dining tables staircases and flooring.