The Giant ash tree from which I made many bowls, as it was being felled on its lot in Reseda
Canoe paddles, baseball bats, axe handles, the spokes of wagon wheels...gunwales of ships and canoes, spars of tall ships. Ash is versatile and tough and light and beautiful. I'm in love with it. We have developers to thank for its existence in Los Angeles. LA is not its "climate zone." It needs winter to live a long life. Here it grows very fast with large growth rings that grow far apart. The wood is whiter than in Vermont where I used to cut and split it for firewood. It seems to be just as tough, just lighter in color and, in my opinion, a little more "Hollywood."
For more information about ash trees click the image.
