Ash Trees

[Trisha-MN]

We have a good number of dead standing green ash trees on the south side of our wind break. They are good solid trees and several decades old. I tried calling a saw mill and was told there is no market for green ash and the trees are terribly hard on the saws. He suggested that we cut it for firewood.
We don't have any wood burning heating at all but can investigate the option of cutting and chopping them for fire wood but we don't know much about that. Does anyone else have any other ideas on what to do with the trees? Or know how to go about cutting for firewood?

Thanks,
Trisha

[BeeFree]

What is your location? I don't know what kind of sawmiller you talked with, but Ash where we live sells good.

[Ramblin Wreck]

Found this on the University of Maine site. Although not as desireable as white ash, it does sound like it would make lumber. Another reference indicated that you might have to pre-drill holes to fasten it, but that's typical/common for hard wood species.

http://www.umaine.edu/umext/mainetre...F/GreenAsh.pdf

[Junkmanme]

I'd try to find someone with a WoodMiser and see if he would split the "take" 50-50 for sawing it into lumber.

(Maybe place an ad to that effect in the local paper?)

[Ashman]

As you evidenced by my screen name I use Ash for building cabinets and furniture (along with other wood species)

Here is a picture of some cabinets I built for a customer using Ash lumber.

[Rockin'B]

Sharp looking work!

[EDDIE BUCK]

I know you said they are good solid trees, but why are they dead? Fire, insects, herbicide? Get someone who knows what to look for, to determine the condition of the trees for lumber. Sawmill owner, forestservice, county extension service, then you will know wether you need a sawmill or a burning permit. Just my 2 cent.

[copperkid3]

Originally Posted by EDDIE BUCK

I know you said they are good solid trees, but why are they dead? Fire, insects, herbicide? Get someone who knows what to look for, to determine the condition of the trees for lumber. Sawmill owner, forestservice, county extension service, then you will know wether you need a sawmill or a burning permit. Just my 2 cent.

************************************
Very good advice.......particularly with the "strong" possibility that your trees may have been killed by an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer. For more information on the subject check out this website:

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

It might explain why the logger/sawyer declined to give you much encouragement in harvesting your trees.

[gracegarden]

Wood workers (handcarving, turning, etc.) especially if it has "damage."
Things such as burls, fungus disease, bug damage, branch forking and twisting, etc. can all make it (or even pieces of it) quite valuable.

google "figured" wood.

Perhaps advertise for wood carvers.

[Ashman]

Originally Posted by Rockin'B

Sharp looking work!

Thank you. The kitchen is kinda cluttered with all that Earnhardt Jr. collectibles, but the kitchen was for my son and he is a fan. When I mentioned a "customer" he paid me with a "Thank You dad" best kind of payment.


Ash is a nice wood to work with, but it doesn't take a stain real well. Best trick I have found is to not sand it past 150 grit, that seems to leave a little extra pores for the stain to soak into, Then once the finish is applied sand between coats of polyurethane to make it smooth.

[Thoughthound]

Ash heartwood is gorgeous.

[Trisha-MN]

Thank you all...we're in Northwestern Minnesota.

Perhaps I will try calling a couple more sawmills. The one I talked to said the wood was hard on the saws, especially already dead/dried wood. Around here everyone apparently wants Oak but not Green Ash. We aren't in an area of MN with many trees (about the only ones around here are windbreaks and near the river) since we're in a former lakebed/prairie which is almost all tilled ag land now. The trees start further east.

Ashman - BEAUTIFUL work!

We're failry sure that the trees died due to dampness and from running the cattle though a section of the trees. However I will try to call the extension service. I haven't heard that the Ash Borer has made it here but I know its only a matter of time.

Trisha

[Rockin'B]

Originally Posted by Ashman

Thank you. The kitchen is kinda cluttered with all that Earnhardt Jr. collectibles, but the kitchen was for my son and he is a fan. When I mentioned a "customer" he paid me with a "Thank You dad" best kind of payment.


Ash is a nice wood to work with, but it doesn't take a stain real well. Best trick I have found is to not sand it past 150 grit, that seems to leave a little extra pores for the stain to soak into, Then once the finish is applied sand between coats of polyurethane to make it smooth.

Is it difficult to stain when using a oil based wetting solution and gel stain? I had to go that route with some birch wood and it turned out a bit better but I'm a rookie at wood work.

[fishhead]

What about fancy fences posts or split rails? I would think that ash would be fairly resistant to rot.

[BeeFree]

It is a shame you are so far away. DH would cut them for you and haul them to the mill on a percent. I think you should check more millers. Perhaps some that isn't into the big business end. They seem to take the trees they can get, and aren't so choicy.

[tinknal]

Originally Posted by copperkid

************************************
Very good advice.......particularly with the "strong" possibility that your trees may have been killed by an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer. For more information on the subject check out this website:

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

It might explain why the logger/sawyer declined to give you much encouragement in harvesting your trees.

So far the borer has not made it to MN. The State is watching it VERY closley.

[paintlady]

Where exactly are you located? I know some old order Mennonites that have a sawmill operation near Leonard.

[Ashman]

Originally Posted by Rockin'B

Is it difficult to stain when using a oil based wetting solution and gel stain? I had to go that route with some birch wood and it turned out a bit better but I'm a rookie at wood work.

I haven't tried any gel stains yet but I have seen some stuff others have done. Stains I have used are Min wax and Zar pigment stains.

[EDDIE BUCK]

Originally Posted by Ashman

As you evidenced by my screen name I use Ash for building cabinets and furniture (along with other wood species)

Here is a picture of some cabinets I built for a customer using Ash lumber.

Ashman, I've never seen a better job from anyone that finishes cabinets. My daughter inlaws daddy builds cabinets,bookcases, beds, ect and never stains or uses any finish, he thinks it takes away from the woods natural beauty. When he sees this picture, you will make him think about or change his mind. AGAIN VERY PRETTY

[rambler]

Here in Minnesota, ash is a prefered fire wood, and not so good for anything elese. As we can see from the pictures, it certainly _can_ be used for wood - it looks rather rustic & harsh to some. But, that doesn't mean you will find anyone willing to pay for it! Very little demand for any green ash lumber.

Again, here in Minnesota, lumber yards typically only want green trees in hardwoods. You will look long & hard to find anyone interested in bothering with old dead trees. Typically they don't cut very well, and can be rotted or brittle. I'm not saying _your_ particular trees are bad, but those owning sawmills will likely assume so, and not want to bother working with the hard dead wood.

Firewood is your best option unless you pay whatever is asked to have the lumber made for your own uses - anyhow here in southern MN it is that way.

--->Paul