Landscaping Species

Local timber species for landscaping

Here is an overview of the species of homegrown timbers that are suitable for landscaping uses. They have different qualities and are suitable for different purposes. If you have any queries about suitability of a species please give us a call on 01730 816941

Chestnut Castanea Sativa Hardwood

An interesting alternative to Oak, but not as suitable for heavy work. it's best uses are fencing, decking, garden structures and furniture. Great non-toxic option for use in children's playgrounds and school landscaping. Offers a huge variation in materials with traditional hand riven products available alongside regular machined items.

Fresh sawn it is hard to tell from Oak, similar yellow-brown heartwood that takes exterior finish when surface dry, otherwise silvers over time. Naturally tough, durable and needs no additional chemical preservatives.

Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga Douglasii/Menziesii/Taxifolia Softwood*

Douglas Fir is the strongest of the softwoods and can cope with heavy duty works including sleepers, bollards for groudnworks. Like Oak, there's not alot it can't be used for externally, it's naturally durable but can be difficult to treat due to density and resin content.

Reddish brown in colour with contrasting sap, is can take an exterior finish when surface dry, otherwise colour will mellow and silver down over time.

Larch Larix Decidua, Larix Kaempferi Softwood*

Homegrown Larch is a nice alternative to Douglas Fir and is becoming popular with architects and designers. Not as strong as D.Fir but still good for use in fencing, gates, garden structures, and furniture.

Naturally durable with a straight grain and orangey brown colouring, Larch can take an exterior finish when surface is dry which will keep timber from weathering if required.

Can be difficult to treat due to resin content and tend to split when nailed.

Oak Quercus Robur/ Sessiflora Hardwood

Popular among garden designers and groundworkers alike, Oak can be applied to almost any exterior purpose and is the strongest, most naturally durable timber option in homegrown timber due to Tannin content and density.

Fresh sawn, it's yellow brown colouring can take an exterior finishes once surface dry, otherwise it will silver down very respectfully. Oak is a great non-toxic option for use in children's playgrounds and school landscaping and needs no additional chemical perservatives.

Western Red Cedar (WRC) Thuja plicata Softwood*

Popular with architects and designers, WRC is not a heavy duty timber but is great for garden structures, furniture, fencing, decking and gates.

Rich red brown heartwood, pinky when fresh sawn, pales as it dries but an exterior finish will maintain colouring once surface is dry. Although difficult to treat due to Tannin content WRC is naturally durable, weathers well and silvers down over time.

*Softwoods do not last well in contact with the ground when left untreated.

Typical Uses

Species / Use	groundworks	fencing	decks	gates	garden structures	furniture
Chestnut		•	•	•	•	•
Douglas Fir	•	•	•	•	•	•
Larch	•	•	•	•	•	•
Oak	•	•	•	•	•	•
Western Red Cedar		•	•	•	•	•