Timber beams

[agg221]

Spruce will give very good strength values, but doesn't have resistance to fungi or insects (in this respect it is similar to beech). I don't have any strength values for beech but can probably get some.

 

For farm buildings - don't overlook poplar. Far better than most people give it credit for (there are surviving poplar cruck blades from the 15th century), but very difficult to get 'official' values. It isn't naturally resistant to insect attack, but absorbs treatments very well.

 

Alec