our timbers

olive ash (fraxinus excelsior)

native ash is a wood which comes second only to oak in the affections of british and irish people. like oak, it is seen as a native timber growing in the countryside, and therefore has a natural affinity with our domestic buildings particularly traditional vernacular homes.

ash is tough and flexible, and is similar to oak in strength properties. this natural flexibility makes ash ideal for sports equipment such as tennis racquets, hockey sticks and irish hurling sticks. for the handles of agricultural and gardening implements. in the past it was used for the body work of cars, and is still seen today in surviving morris minor estates from the 1940’s and 50’s.

olive ash is a pale silvery biscuit white when freshly cut, and has a wonderful robust and sweeping high arched figure with a beautiful warm smoky brown heartwood. ash is an ideal timber for liming which gives it a silvery translucent appearance.

the natural choice where a light contemporary feel is required in a traditional houses. for feminine bedrooms in a fresh new england style, or swedish gustavian with elegant gilt and painted furniture or karl larsson inspired interiors with simple check cotton fabrics. or cool and minimal as a foil for dark wenge or walnut furniture.


native european collection