Mountain Ash
Scientific name: Eucalyptus regnans
Overview
Mountain Ash is one of the tallest flowering trees in the world and a major commercial hardwood species in southeastern Australia. Despite the common name, it is not a true ash but a eucalyptus species.
Mountain Ash is valued for its light color, straight grain, and good workability. It occupies a lighter structural and interior niche within Australian hardwoods, contrasting with dense species like Ironbark and Buloke.
It is widely used in construction, interior joinery, flooring, and furniture.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Mountain Ash
- Scientific Name: Eucalyptus regnans
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (Australia – primarily Victoria and Tasmania)
- Tree Size: 200–330 ft tall, 6–10 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 37 lbs/ft³ (600 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,150 lbf
- Color: Pale pink to light reddish brown
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Mountain Ash is identified by its pale, uniform coloration and straight grain. The heartwood ranges from cream to light pinkish-brown. The texture is medium and consistent, with minimal figure.
Compared to darker Australian hardwoods, Mountain Ash appears significantly lighter and more subdued. It lacks the strong red tones of Jarrah and the olive cast of Tallowwood.
Key identification traits include:
- Light cream to pale brown color
- Straight, even grain
- Medium texture
- Moderate weight
- Clean structural appearance
Working Properties
Mountain Ash is relatively easy to work.
- Machines cleanly
- Sands smoothly
- Glues and finishes well
- Stable when properly dried
Because of its moderate density, it is well suited for interior construction and furniture applications.
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause irritation in sensitive individuals. Standard dust protection is recommended.
Common Uses
Mountain Ash common uses including:
- Framing and structural use
- Interior paneling
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Joinery
- Cabinetry
Sustainability & Notes
Mountain Ash is commercially harvested under Australian forestry management systems. It remains one of the more widely used structural hardwoods in southeastern Australia.
It fills the lighter structural category within the Oceania cluster.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Tasmanian Myrtle – A fine-textured Australian hardwood commonly used in furniture and interior woodworking, typically denser and more stable than Mountain Ash.
Blackbutt – A durable Australian hardwood used in flooring and structural applications, generally stronger and more resistant to wear.
Sydney Blue Gum – A dense eucalyptus species used in construction and flooring, typically heavier and more durable than Mountain Ash.
Related Guides
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Mountain Ash ranks in the mid-density range among Australian hardwoods.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability
Proper acclimation improves stability in interior construction.
How to Identify Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Its straight, even grain distinguishes it from interlocked eucalyptus species.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Mountain Ash is primarily a structural reference species within a documented wood collection. Its pale tone provides contrast against darker Australian hardwoods. Flat-sawn samples best demonstrate its straight grain and uniform appearance. Because of its moderate density, it is lighter than many eucalyptus species, making it practical for labeled archival blocks.
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Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• 3M Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator for protection against dust and airborne particles during sanding and woodworking
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• Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter for non-destructive moisture detection in wood, drywall, and masonry
https://amzn.to/4upDKSd
• Pro Grade 2-Inch Foam Brush Set for applying stains, oils, finishes, and sealers to woodworking projects
https://amzn.to/4drOpWx
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