Ash for Timberframes?

[PA_Walnut]

With the continuing availability of ash due to Emerald Ash Borer, I'm considering using it for a building I'm about to put up.
Any thoughts or info on use from those in "the know"?

Other practical options for me are: eastern white pine, hemlock and oak. (would love to do it all in white oak, but don't know if I can afford the logs.)

Thx

[Dave Shepard]

White pine is my preference. Its stable, minimal shrinkage, low cost, and easy to work. Ash, like most hardwoods, is susceptible to splitting, twisting, and bowing. If you use hardwoods, you should plan on cutting joinery and raising ASAP to minimize degrade.

[PaAnkerbalken]

I agree with dave. I've used ash and it tends to get pretty large checks. It works similarly to r oak. Had to cull couple of ash posts. Could use it for peg materials. I'm also in the white pine camp. 👍 It is sad to see all this ash going to waste. We have cut down most of the ones we have. Watch hemlock for shake. Gets splintery. If your going to use it use it where u won't be touching it. Mainly use it higher up in your frame.

Jason

[PA_Walnut]

Thanks. was leaning toward white pine anyway. Love the smell, easy on tools and won't kill me lifting it! Hopefully it cools off soon, so I can saw some without staining in 2 days.

[Mad Professor]

Ash is strong, relatively light, and works well green.

Logs should be end coated as soon as they are bucked to minimize checking.

Powder post beetles also love ash.  Might want to consider a borax treatment after milling.

[Brad_bb]

I've been milling a lot of standing dead Ash the last year.  One thing I love is that it's partially dry and more stable than it would be green.  Any of the timbers I've cut and have stacked in my pole barns do not have any checking issues.  That is the benefit of some drying on the stump. 

I'm using some Ash in my future home build.  I just milled a 24.5' Ash timber for a tie beam on page 358 of whatcha sawin? http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,80057.msg1506545.html#msg1506545

You've got to find tall straight Ash to get a good tie beam.

I'm also using White Oak for tie beams.  I'm using ash for a bunch of other stuff along with Cherry, Osage, elm, Walnut, and honey locust.  I don't have any hickory but would use it if I did.

[PA_Walnut]

Cool. Thanks for the info and ash assessment. I do have quite a bit of LARGE hickory also. May use some of that, but have some super-nice and big white pine coming soon.