Sliced Olive Ash Veneer

Sliced coloured (olive) ash veneer: features, dimensions, grades, and uses

Natural veneer from olive or coloured ash is a surfacing material. It is produced by slicing layers of wood from ash logs that feature a pronounced dark core. Unlike classic white ash, coloured ash is highly valued for its unique contrasting pattern. This striking appearance closely resembles the wood of an olive tree.

Our stock programme includes the following finishing materials:

• thicknesses of 0.6 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.5 mm;
• widths starting from 9 cm;
• lengths ranging from 0.5 to 3.8 m;
• moisture content between 8% and 10%;
• grades Extra, 1, and 2, including options with knots.

Using sliced veneer allows for the rational use of forest resources. On average, one cubic metre of timber yields 850 square metres of veneer with a thickness of 0.55 mm. Sold starting from 1 bundle. The price per bundle is calculated individually and depends on the square metreage and grade.

Which is better: natural olive ash veneer or fine-line?

Choosing between natural and reconstituted veneer affects not only the aesthetic features of the product but also its operational durability. Let us compare the materials based on key parameters.

Natural olive ash veneer is the priority for products in the premium and luxury segments, where naturalness and uniqueness are valued. Fine-line is advisable for the mass production of serial furniture. In such cases, complete colour uniformity and minimisation of production costs are critical.

Grades of sliced olive ash veneer

The veneer grade indicates the material’s quality. It is determined based on visual characteristics and the presence of natural wood features. In the woodworking industry, sorting allows for the rational use of raw materials.

It clearly differentiates the material by its intended purpose, ranging from facades to hidden structural elements. When evaluating olive ash veneer, the key factors are surface cleanliness, core colour uniformity, and the absence of mechanical damage.

Grade A (1) coloured ash veneer

This is the highest quality material, used for the front surfaces of furniture and elite interior solutions. It shows full compliance with the declared cut: a clear radial or harmonious tangential pattern. The colour transitions of the olive core are smooth and balanced.

Occasional ‘eyes’ (up to 2 mm in diameter) are permitted, numbering no more than 1-2 per linear metre. The surface is smooth and without fuzziness. Cracks, rot, and sapwood are completely absent.

Grade B/AB (2) olive ash veneer

This is the optimal choice for elements where moderate natural variability of the wood is acceptable. A slight deviation from the parallelism of lines in a radial cut or a less pronounced arch pattern in a tangential cut is possible.

The presence of sound, intergrown knots up to 5–8 mm in diameter is allowed. There are minor colour changes that do not spoil the overall aesthetic. Micro-cracks on the ends are possible, with a length of no more than 3–5% of the total sheet length.

Grade C (3) coloured ash veneer

This is technical veneer applied for internal details and rough facing. It is also used for subsequent painting and for products in rustic, eco, loft, or country styles. It features a chaotic pattern, pronounced contrast, and the possible presence of a ‘wild’ texture.

Black (non-intergrown) knots and medullary rays are permitted. Significant cracks, loose knots, and greater tolerances for surface roughness are also possible.

Areas of application for olive ash veneer

Olive ash veneer is considered one of the most versatile materials in the premium finishing segment. The contrasting pattern of the core allows for the creation of visual accents that do not require additional toning.

1. Cabinet furniture. Olive ash veneer is a priority choice for the facades of wardrobes, chests of drawers, cabinets, and bureaux. The high wear resistance of varnished ash makes the furniture resistant to abrasion and scratches. It is most often used to create matched panels with a ‘book-matched’ or ‘mirror’ layout, which maximises the dynamics of the pattern over large areas.
2. Wall panels. Veneered panels based on MDF or chipboard are used to decorate offices, halls, and living areas. Besides aesthetics, such panels improve the sound insulation of a room. Using tangentially sliced veneer on wall panels creates a ‘living wood’ effect. Radial veneer forms a more restrained and graphic canvas.
3. Internal doors. Olive ash is valued by door manufacturers for its excellent adhesion with glues. Due to its flexibility, sliced veneer is successfully used for facing complex profile elements, door frames, and architraves. Doors veneered with ash look like products made from expensive solid wood. However, they are lighter and less prone to drying out.
4. Partitions and decorative screens. Lightweight constructions made of chipboard, MDF, or plywood faced with ash are easy to install. Walls, partitions, or mobile screens decorated with ash fit into both classic and modern aesthetics. They help to alter the layout and highlight functional zones.
5. Decorative elements and accessories. Olive ash veneer is frequently found in the finishing of musical instruments, car dashboards, and yacht interiors. This material is used to decorate boxes, statuettes, cases, organisers, light fittings, wall panels, and picture frames. Even on small details, coloured ash veneer looks complete and self-sufficient.

Veneer with contrasting coloration and a distinct grain pattern is chosen for projects in various styles.

Production technology of coloured ash veneer

1. Raw material preparation. The production of sliced veneer begins with the careful selection of roundwood of appropriate quality. Only wood without fungal infections, internal cracks, blue stain, or mechanical defects is accepted. The logs are cut to specified lengths, debarked, and sawn longitudinally. After this, rectangular flitches are formed, which are then sent for thermal preparation.
2. Hydrothermal treatment. Before slicing, the flitches undergo thermal treatment, such as steaming in chambers or boiling in special pools. Under the influence of elevated temperature and moisture, the wood becomes more plastic. Internal stresses decrease, reducing the likelihood of micro-cracks forming during the removal of a thin layer. Additionally, there is a partial equalisation of colour throughout the entire thickness of the workpiece. Once the cycle is complete, the surface of the blocks is cleaned of remaining bark and foreign inclusions.
3. Veneer slicing. The prepared flitch is mounted on a veneer slicing machine, where the sheet thickness parameters and feed rate are set. A knife sequentially removes a layer of wood along the plane of the block, forming individual sheets of a specified thickness. It is at this stage that the character of the future pattern is established. Depending on the slicing direction, a radial or tangential cut is obtained. For olive ash, the tangential method fully reveals the expressive texture and contrasting stripes. Conversely, a radial cut forms a more restrained and structured pattern. The thickness of the sheets typically varies between 0.55 and 2.5 mm, depending on the material’s intended use.
4. Drying. After slicing, the sheets are fed into drying chambers. Here, they are brought to a stable working moisture content of 8–10%.
5. Sorting and packaging. The finished material is selected by grade, thickness, and type of cut. During quality control, experts evaluate colour uniformity, texture expressiveness, structural integrity, and the absence of technological defects. In the case of olive ash, the harmonious distribution of the dark core and light areas is also considered. The sheets are bundled into packs (flitches), and the edges are aligned on a guillotine. Afterwards, the products are labelled according to the specification and stacked on pallets for storage or dispatch to the customer.

Classification of coloured ash veneer by type of cut

In the production of sliced coloured ash veneer, three main types of texture are distinguished. These depend on the angle of inclination of the annual rings to the cutting plane.

Radial cut

With a radial cut, the cutting plane passes through the core of the log perpendicular to the annual rings. The angle of inclination of the rings is from 60° to 90°. The texture is represented by parallel straight lines. In coloured ash, this creates a strict, rhythmic pattern with a clear alternation of light sapwood stripes and dark core stripes.

Radial veneer has the highest stability coefficient. It also demonstrates minimal expansion and contraction rates when humidity changes. This material is often chosen for assembling matched panels over large areas.

Tangential cut

The cut passes tangentially to the annual rings at a certain distance from the core. The angle of inclination of the rings is less than 30°. The pattern looks like cones, arches, or wavy swirls.

In olive ash, the tangential cut maximally reveals the decorative ‘marbled’ core. This creates a dynamic and expressive design. Tangential veneer is highly decorative, making it a popular choice for manufacturing furniture facades and wall panels.

Semi-radial cut

This is an intermediate type of cut where the angle of inclination of the annual rings is shifted relative to the central axis. The angle of inclination of the rings is from 30° to 60°. It combines straight lines on one side of the sheet with arc-shaped lines (half-arches) on the other.

This creates a softer transition than in a strict radial cut. It is the optimal choice for projects where it is necessary to preserve the naturalness of the wood without the excessive graphic quality of the radial cut or the randomness of the tangential cut.

When ordering olive ash veneer for a single project, it is important to combine packs with the same type of cut. This guarantees the identity of the core shade and the pitch of the annual rings across the entire facing area.

Olive ash wood: a brief overview

Olive ash is not a separate botanical species. It is the name for the mature wood of the common ash (Fraxinus excelsior), which during its growth has acquired a characteristic dark core colour. This natural feature makes the wood a popular material for manufacturing premium natural veneer.

The main distribution area of the plant covers Europe, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean. This includes the regions of Ukraine and the Caucasus. The olive core most often forms in trees over 60–80 years old growing on calcium-rich soils.

Ash is among the three strongest species in the temperate zone. It often surpasses oak in terms of impact toughness and splitting resistance. The density varies from 680 to 750 kg/m³, making it a heavy and strong wood.

The Brinell hardness is 4.0–4.1, which ensures high resistance to dents and mechanical damage. The wood is wear-resistant and exceeds oak by 20% in impact toughness. The material is indispensable for products subjected to dynamic loads.

The aesthetic of olive ash is based on contrast and a pronounced texture. There is a clear distinction between the light yellow (straw) sapwood and the heartwood, which features dark stripes of brown, olive, and grey shades. The fibres are predominantly straight, but they may have a slight waviness where the colour transitions.

The pores are open and deep. Thanks to its high density, the solid wood sands easily, allowing for a smooth surface. The recommended grit is P150-P180. It holds all types of joinery glues (PVA, PUR) well.

Olive ash looks best under oils or wax, which highlight the contrast of the core. When varnishing, it is recommended to use varnishes with a UV filter. This helps prevent the natural yellowing of the wood over time.

7 reasons to buy olive (coloured) ash veneer from WoodWay Expert

WoodWay Expert represents systematic cooperation with a supplier that focuses on the technological requirements of furniture production and actual market demands. Below are seven arguments that determine the choice of our clients, including furniture factories, design studios, and craft workshops.

1. Constant stock supply. Our warehouse in Kyiv maintains an assortment of over 50 items of natural veneer from various species and cut types. Finishing materials are available for dispatch immediately after order confirmation and payment.
2. Remote selection based on technical specifications. According to the provided project parameters, our managers perform an individual selection of packs. The client receives photos, videos, and specifications of the matching packs. In this way, the client can assess the actual pattern, tonality, and structure of the exact products that will be dispatched.
3. Proper quality. The veneer corresponds to the specified grade and a moisture content of 8-10%. The material is stored in a warehouse where the correct microclimate is maintained.
4. Wholesale and retail. Ordering is possible from a single pack up to regular wholesale deliveries. We work with both large enterprises and carpentry workshops.
5. Payment options. At the warehouse, you can pay in cash (a fiscal receipt is issued). Cashless transfers are available for sole traders (FOP) and limited liability companies (TOV) with VAT.
6. Dispatch across Ukraine and collection. You can collect the products yourself from the warehouse in Kyiv or have them dispatched via transport companies throughout Ukraine. Packaging is carried out considering the requirements for protecting the veneer during transport.
7. Additional production services. We offer a service for assembling veneer matched panels. We also accept orders for veneering panel materials such as chipboard, MDF, plywood, and blockboard. This allows the customer to receive ready-faced blanks, shortening their own production cycle.

Cooperation with WoodWay Expert involves not just the supply of material, but a comprehensive approach. We provide consultation on choosing the species, cut type, and optimal sheet thickness, along with recommendations for further processing.

How to order olive ash veneer in Kyiv and across Ukraine

We have organised the process of selecting and purchasing veneer to be equally convenient for serial furniture manufacturers, design studios, and carpentry workshops. Choose the format of interaction that suits your schedule.

• Selection at the Kyiv warehouse. Clients for whom it is important to personally assess the material can visit the warehouse. Here you can select packs with the required type of cut (radial or tangential) and compare colours and texture uniformity. This format is particularly relevant when implementing projects with strict requirements for pattern and colour. Warehouse location: 7d Zdolbunivska St., Kyiv (landmark upon entry: 17e Dniprovska Embankment).
• Remote selection. If you work in another region, contact a manager on +380 (67) 180-38-13 (Viber, Telegram) and provide your technical specifications. Managers will prepare photos and videos of suitable packs and provide information regarding available square metreage and grades. You have the opportunity to approve the specific material prior to dispatch.
• Ordering via the website. Current natural veneer items are presented in our online catalogue. Place an order via the basket or send a request specifying the required details. After processing the application, the manager will clarify the technical parameters and generate an invoice for payment.

Get in touch—our specialists are ready for tasks of any scale and level of complexity.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How does olive ash differ from white ash?

It is the exact same species (Fraxinus excelsior). ‘Olive’ refers to veneer sliced from the central part of old trees, where a dark (‘false’) core has formed. The material features contrasting brown, greenish, or grey stripes, whereas white ash is distinguished by a uniform light shade.

What is the standard thickness of sliced ash veneer?

The most popular veneer has a thickness of 0.6 mm. This thickness provides a sufficient layer for high-quality sanding after gluing. At the same time, it allows for the economical use of expensive raw materials.

Does olive ash change colour over time?

Like any natural wood, ash is prone to ‘ageing’. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, light areas can become slightly yellower, and dark areas less contrasting. To preserve the original appearance, we recommend using varnishes with UV filters.

Is ash veneer suitable for restoring old furniture?

Yes, the material is used for renovating furniture. Ash veneer is easily applied to prepared surfaces, giving old items a premium look.

Which cut of ash veneer is better: radial or tangential?

Radial veneer has a pattern of straight lines and is better suited for modern minimalist interiors. Tangential veneer features an arch-shaped pattern, which is traditional for classic furniture.

Can olive ash be toned?

It is possible, but usually impractical. The main value of olive ash lies in its natural pattern. If you want to change the colour, it is better to choose standard white ash. Olive ash is typically covered with oil or clear varnish to highlight the ‘marbled’ texture.