Black ash?

[JPembleton]

I'm not having much luck finding clear white ash in lengths long enough for gunwales (not interested in scarfing). There is a possibility I can get my hands on some black ash but i've never seen it mentioned as an alternative to white. I'll likely use spruce on the inwales of any canoes I work on in the future but l still prefer hardwood on the outside gunwales.

Is it a suitable alternative, why/ why not?

Thanks

Jamie

 

[Rollin Thurlow]

Black ash is a bit tougher and heavier than the white ash. When cut into boards its almost impossible to tell the difference between the two. Either one would do equally as well for your rails. Black ash is not as common as the white ash but it all depends upon the area that you are looking in. Either ash does not have very good rot resistance qualities.