Picnic Table

[Cheese]

Not mentioned but worth mentioning is redwood. My father and I built a redwood deck that lasted for 30+ years.

Be careful where you place a cedar table. My neighbor & I constructed a cedar fence about 6-8 years ago that was underneath a large tree. I noticed this spring the entire length of the fence under the tree has rotted out and will need to be replaced.

Here's an interesting article on wood for outside projects.
https://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/outdoor-lumber

 

[Michael Kellough]

While reading an article at NYTimes.com an ad for Robi Decking appeared. Never heard of them but they specialize in North America native species that are particularly durable like black locust, sassafras, and eastern juniper. They also sell black walnut but it’s not for ground contact.

They stock it in normal dimensions including 2x and also do custom milling.

Decking material comparison chart.

 

[Michael Kellough]

[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member] since you’re in Atlanta, regionally sourced cypress would be interesting.
I’ve never worked with it so I’d first investigate whether it gets splintery.

 

[Birdhunter]

I think Carlton’s would be a good source if they have not closed for the virus.

 

[Alanbach]

If you know of any small to medium sized saw mills out in the country in Georgia or Alabama you might get lucky and find some cheap locally harvested Cypress. I know that it’s big in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama so I bet it grows in Georgia as well.

 

[Cheese]

If I was in your neck of the woods, I'd definitely be looking at the cypress. Although white oak has been a staple for boat builders for years.

Cedar, while least expensive would be my last choice. The majority of the expense in building a table is the time involved. It's something to cherish for the young-uns when you've been summoned to the last roundup.  [smile]

 

[jeffinsgf]

Briefly mentioned earlier was sassafras. It's not common, but where you can find it, it is usually very reasonably priced. I built a side table for my grill with it and it's held up well (however, I bring it inside in the winter). I mention it because you said you were eating the cost and I paid less than $2 a board foot for both 4/4 and 6/4 sassasfras from Keim Lumber in Ohio. You might find it close to you for something close to that, though I think most harvest-sized growth is north of you. It's clear, straight grained and works well. Very knowledgeable woodworkers have mistaken my finished pieces as being made from ash...until you pick it up. It is relatively light compared to ash, oak, maple, etc.

 

[bruegf]

For anyone in the south bend, in area I have over 500 bd ft of teak shorts (3, 4, and 5 ft long; 4/4 and 8/4) that I'd be willing to sell for $18 bd/ft if anyone is interested.  PM me if you are.

Fred

 

[rvieceli]

[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member] seriously consider black locust. It's an American wood. Extremely resistant to rot, You may be able to find a source from a local mill. If not these folks are in North Carolina and ship everywhere.

www.robidecking.com

Ron

 

[Rick Herrick]

seriously consider black locust. It's an American wood. Extremely resistant to rot, You may be able to find a source from a local mill. If not these folks are in North Carolina and ship everywhere.

www.robidecking.com

Ron

These people are 15 minutes from me.  I need to check them out.  Thanks.