Ash (Fraxinus americana)The wood is white and quite dense, strong, and straight-grained. The tree's common English name, ash, goes back to the Old English æsc, while the generic name originated in Latin. Both words also meant "spear" in their respective languages. In Norse mythology, the World Tree Yggdrasil is commonly held to be an ash tree, and the first man, Ask, was formed from an ash tree. Elsewhere in Europe, snakes were said to be repelled by ash leaves or a circle drawn by an ash branch. Irish folklore claims that shadows from an ash tree would damage crops. In Cheshire, it was said that ash could be used to cure warts or rickets. It is the timber of choice for production of baseball bats and tool handles. The wood is also favorable for furniture and flooring. It makes a very serviceable longbow if properly worked.