Even in ancient times, ash was attributed to the possession of magical powers. That is why its wood was often used in the manufacturing process of various amulets and amulets. According to an ancient legend, ash owes its name to its lush and openwork crown, which is able to easily pass sunlight through itself.
Tree description
Due to the fact that ash looks very similar to other deciduous trees, it is often confused with deciduous ash-leaved maple. The arrangement of leaves on the stems of these trees is very similar. However, despite the resemblance, the trees belong to different families: ash - to olive, and maple - to sapind.
As mentioned above, ash is a relative of representatives of the olive family. This family is widespread in the central and southern region of Russia. However, in the Caucasus you can find ash, which grows in the form of shrubs. Basically, it grows like an ordinary deciduous tree. Its height can reach 10 m and above.
The foliage of the ash is cut-up and can grow up to 30 centimeters in length. Trees bloom in late spring and retain their green color until October, and sometimes even until November.
With the end of summer, the tree throws seeds. They are a bright green lionfish, which grows among the leaves and grows together in small panicles. With the advent of cold weather, instead of green, the seeds turn brown, and then, falling down, become an excellent bird food. Once in wet soil, the lionfish can grow into a new tree in a few years.
The root system of the ash is very wide, the main stem is missing. Sometimes near the old tree you can see new shoots - these are processes of roots. They can grow even outside the crown of a tree. In early spring, ash begins to bloom. Its flowers look like purple bells. Pollination of ash occurs with the help of insects or wind.
Distribution geography
Due to the fact that ash is not very finicky to external conditions, it is common in various regions of the country. However, to a greater extent, he prefers Mediterranean, Caucasian and Crimean lands due to the fact that there is moist and fertile soil.
In Russia, he often chooses the middle climatic zone as a place of growth. Most ash trees can be seen in the forest or river valley. Ash-tree bush is found in the southern territories of the country.
Wood use
Even in ancient times, ash wood was used in everyday life, as it has a special and unique texture. It was used for the manufacture of rockers, wheels for carts, sleighs and other household items that were supposed to be wear-resistant. Due to its properties, ash wood is actively used in the manufacture of equipment for athletes (skis, bars). Ash paddles are durable, moisture resistant and durable.
Since vitamins and minerals are present in ash wood, properly processed raw materials are also in demand in medicine. The healing properties are fruit, bark and leaves of the tree.
Wood characteristic
The deciduous species of ash wood is similar in its properties to oak wood. However, it is lighter and lacks pronounced core rays. Before use, wood is subjected to thorough antiseptic treatment. The reason for this need is the fragility of the wood in humid conditions, since wormholes appear on it from moisture.
Ash wood is very appreciated, as it is durable and flexible. From thin ash boards is the production of bent parts and products. Wood perfectly withstands strong blows, it is very difficult to cut, and in the open dry air it can crack and rot if not processed. After passing through the steaming procedure, the wood bends very well, and after bleaching, it acquires an unusual grayish tint.
Ash wood texture is beautiful and has a brownish yellow color. Due to its high physical and mechanical properties, the range of application of ash is very wide. Bent and carved furniture is made from it, screws for light aircraft, parquet boards and railings, sideboards for car bodies, window frames, butts for weapons, bows, both sports and hunting, tennis rackets and more are cut out.
Wood structure
Ash is attributed to the sound annular vascular tree species. Due to the fact that the late and early wood of the tree differs in appearance, each annual layer is clearly visible in any section. On transverse sections in the zone of the late annual layer, each small vessel is clearly visible. It looks like a separate bright spot or a short winding dash, which is located near the outer border of a wide annual layer. The core of the ash has a light brown color. The sapwood of the tree is wide, yellowish-white. It gradually passes into the core. The rays of the core can be considered only by making a strictly radial cut. They look like little shiny dashes and dots.
The texture of the ash is determined by the width of the annual layers, the difference in the color of wood of the early and late periods, as well as the color of sapwood and kernel. All this can be seen by making a longitudinal section of the tree trunk. The wood structure is also formed by cut vessels in the zones of late and early wood. Only the core rays do not affect the wood texture. A photo of ash wood is presented above.
Ash density
The density of this wood is average. It is classified as a heavy and hard variety of wood. Ash wood has a very high elasticity. It is durable and viscous. Surface treatment of wood is quite simple, because it is very well impregnated with all kinds of stains. If you do not perform external processing of wood, it will not be resistant to environmental influences and very quickly deteriorate as a result of contact with the soil.
The density of ash wood is 680 kg / m 3 . It is characterized by a significant density inequality: late wood is almost 2-3 times denser than early wood.