Hello mike and others:
Just thought that I would put in my 2 cents worth.
Over the years and the examination of many old structures that includes barns, drivesheds, and mills, I have seen ash used in a number of cases, and mixed up with other types of wood in the same structure.
I agree that ash is very strong, and in one driveshed that I reproduced it was completely framed with white ash, and seemed in good shape even after 200 years. I reproduced it using white ash, and one feature that seemed to make it stand out was the size of the posts, beams and girts, being smaller in cross section than other drivesheds that I had worked on. after the raising of the frame it looked very neat yet strong if you know what I mean.
One mill that I am familiar with used white ash predominantly in the original framing, and being around water (moisture) the powder post beatles were quite a problem and had to be continually monitored for activity.
If it is used in a dry environment I believe that it would make a very strong frame. It is much like oak to work with green, but watch out when it dries--ouch!!
NH
