White ash (Fraxinus americana)

The white ash is also known as American Biltmore or cane ash. This tree is most famous for being the best wood for baseball bats and other sports equipment such as tennis racquets, hockey sticks, polo mallets, and playground structures. The reasons for white ash being the most popular wood for these items is that it is tough and does not break under large amounts of strain. This wood can be bent into different shapes without losing its strength and is quite light. There are numerous other uses for white ash wood including church pews, bowling alley flooring, garden and porch furniture, and cabinets.

This site has been designed to accompany the Florida 4-H Ecology Contest and 4-H Forest Project Books . You don't have to be a 4-H'er to use it, though. Everyone is encouraged to explore Florida's forests, both outdoors and on the web.

Acknowledgements: The development of this site was funded by the Florida 4-H Foundation and the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida. The following individuals worked hard to write and edit descriptions, collect plants, take photographs, and design this website: Nancy Birmingham-Hague, Alison Bowers, Jennifer Engle, Tracy Fluchel, Holly Johnson, Larry Korhnak, Alan Long, Martha Monroe, Jenny Seitz, Joel Smith, Willie Wood