Name: Fraxinus Americana L. (White Ash, Biltmore Ash, Biltmore White Ash, American White Ash, Cane Ash). A member of the Olive family.

Growing Region: Native to the Northern U.S. and Canada, but ranges from Nova Scotia to Minnesota and south to Florida and Texas.

Availability: Readily available. Comprises 4.6% of the commercial U.S. hardwoods available.

Weight/Hardness/Density: White Ash weighs 3 pounds per board foot, maple weighs 3.4 pounds per board foot. White Ash scores 1320 on the Janka hardness scale. Maple scores 1450, cherry 950, and red oak 1260. The Janka scale is a test measuring how much force is required to drive a .44” steel ball ½ of its depth into the wood.

Cost: Ranges from 2/3 the cost of maple, to the same price as maple.

Habitat concerns: White Ash is sensitive to air pollution. It can be harmed by coal emissions and other sulfur dioxide emitting industrial processes. It is available with FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certification.

Comments: The leaves of this tree were used to prevent snake bites. It was believed that by placing the leaves in socks or boots, rattlesnakes would be warded off and not strike. Today it is commonly used for baseball bats. The tree grows 60 to 80 feet in height, but may reach heights of 120 feet.

Timbre/Tonal Color: Overall very similar to maple, but with a higher fundamental pitch, more bottom end and a fuller sound.

Dynamic Range : Similar to maple. It kept its character sound from pp (very soft) to ff (very loud).

Tonal Range : Similar to maple in drum sound and rim shot sound, but with more bottom end.

Tuning Range: Comparable to maple. Head tension goes as low as maple, but the drum has more low end than the maple drum. It favors a lower head tension than maple, and actually is lower in pitch than the maple drum at a low head tension. The drum went as high as the maple drum before choking. This drum does not require a high head tension to get it to “pop” like a maple drum.

Resonance/Decay: Sweetspot is the same size as maple and has the same maple-like response as the drum is played from the center toward the outer edge of the drum.

Cross Stick: Higher in pitch than maple. Cross stick area range and sound is also similar to maple.

Volume: Comparable to maple.

Sensitivity: Good. Comparable to maple.

Comments: Ash plays nicely. The drum has a nice response and feel to it. An excellent alternative to maple drums.

By Greg Gaylord & Robert “Tree Hugger” Bowler.

Photo credit Frankie Frost