Wood choice for end tables when using dark stains

[gee-dub]

Ash is quite like red oak to mill and work.  When finishing you will have to take the yellow base color into account but, as you are going really dark this may not be an issue.  A test board will tell the tale.  I tried a Dark Mission Brown that I had used on oak and the ash came out with a decidedly green tint (blech!).  If you run into this I overcame it by adding some red dye to the finish.