We are looking for the best wood to replace use of beech. We are thinking about cypress, cedar, and redwood. We also have questioned the availability of these. Certainly there are other choices, but these two are at the top of my list. It is important to recognize that there are different grades of lumber.
White oak is a good choice, but it is heavy and does have a few cracks, from time to time.
Both oak and mahogany are expensive. Professor Gene Wengert is Extension Specialist in Wood Processing at the Department of Forestry, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Click on Wood Doctor Archives to peruse past answers. E-mail us and let us know what you think. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor.