Black ash, Fraxinus nigra, grows in cedar swamps in the Great Lakes region, Northeastern United States, and Eastern Canada. It has compound leaves, rough grey bark, and a somewhat stubby branching pattern. A slow-growing tree, black ash produces fibrous wood that is lightweight, flexible, and highly suitable for basketry. Its heartwood (inner wood) is darker than the sapwood (outer wood) due to the minerals and tannins that are deposited there.
Ash is a ring porous tree, which means the spring wood has larger cells than the summer wood. Because of this, the growth rings can be separated from each other when the tree is freshly cut. This requires removing the bark with a draw knife and pounding the log with a sledge hammer until the growth rings lift away from the log.
The loosened growth rings are pulled from the log in long strips. Thick growth rings can be subdivided into thinner strips. Once the desired thickness is reached, the remaining rough side of each strip is shaved smooth with a sharp knife and the splint is cut to the desired width. It takes me roughly two months to fully process a log into weaving splint measuring 1/4" to 1/16" wide.
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