Making a woodshed out of hop hornbeam logs?

[JonnoR]

Hi All,

 

I've got some pretty nice hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), ash and oak lumber, from recent thinning work. Some of the selected trees are wonky as all fck, but there's some nice windblown stuff that I've retrieved.  I'm long overdue making a woodshed, and had thought about either hewing or sawing the beams from these nicer pieces and maybe making shingles for a roof from the shorter salvaged bits.  My question is, does hornbeam, once treated, make for good upright beams, or is it pretty bad?  I know that when they're alive but struggling they seem to be a magnet for insect predation, but I don't know if that continues into it's seasoned, treated life.

 

Many thanks,

Jonno

[biggimmer]

Lucky you! I'd mill it and sell the boards. It isn't very rot resistant but I don't know for sure how it would fair in a building sense. I know that the boards i've milled started to spalt very quickly. It has high value in board form as it basically never comes onto the market. It is wonderful wood for making furniture, chopping boards, wood turning etc...I'd buy some off you. I'd even mill it for a good deal

Your oak would be the material for beams - no question.

[Squaredy]

On 28/01/2025 at 17:39, JonnoR said:

Hi All,

 

I've got some pretty nice hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), ash and oak lumber, from recent thinning work. Some of the selected trees are wonky as all fck, but there's some nice windblown stuff that I've retrieved.  I'm long overdue making a woodshed, and had thought about either hewing or sawing the beams from these nicer pieces and maybe making shingles for a roof from the shorter salvaged bits.  My question is, does hornbeam, once treated, make for good upright beams, or is it pretty bad?  I know that when they're alive but struggling they seem to be a magnet for insect predation, but I don't know if that continues into it's seasoned, treated life.

 

Many thanks,

Jonno

I wouldn't use hornbeam for anything outdoors.  It will not last at all.  I have personally never burned it but I suspect this is the most likely way to get some use from it.  You may find buyers for the timber if you mill it, but it is a very niche market as it is not a common timber.  If it is burry or pippy this would make it much easier to sell of course.

[5thelement]

Hornbeam is the second hardest wood in Europe and is one of the highest grade firewoods, but terrible in the ground or outside.

Use your Oak or get some Sweet chestnut or Acacia for your outdoor build.