Scottish Hardwoods

Scottish Hardwoods are unique. It is almost always milled by small businesses working with the tree resource that is close to them. Unlike imported timber, which has been selected for its uniform qualities to suit large scale, highly mechanized mills, Scottish Hardwood displays the characteristics of the trees in Scotland. And while some of our trees are straight and clean, many have enormous character. Our hardwood resource therefore gives a wealth of opportunity for many different creative uses.

We have a range of kiln dried and air dried stock. All kiln dried stock is stored in our moisture controlled containers.

Boards may have straight or natural edges. Some boards are straight grained uniform and virtually knot free. Others are full of character with colour variations, grain markings, pips and burrs - ideal for feature pieces.

We also have a range of craft wood available for projects needing that unique piece of wood including Elm, Ash, Yew, Lime and Spalted Beech:

	Round turning blanks - mostly kiln dried and some with natural tops
	Larger turnery wood - half logs and burrs
	Whole burrs - elm and lime
	Slabs (the pieces cut from the outside of the tree)
	Carving wood
	Logs - of various sizes for sculptures
	Offcuts - waney edges that have been removed from their boards (great for mirrors and frames) and other offcuts

Species	Thickness and Character	Price per m3 (divide by 35.3 to get price per ft3)
Kiln dry oak	32mm thick	£950 - £1150
Kiln dry oak	58mm thick	£1700 - £2500
Air dry oak burr	All sorts of shapes and sizes	£2500 - £3000
Air dry oak boards	32mm, 45mm, 58mm.	£1500 - £1800
Kiln dry ash	32mm thick	£950 - £1150
Kiln dry ash	45 mm or 58 mm thick	£1000 - £1200
Air dry ash	80mm thick	£600 - £800
Kiln dry elm	32mm thick	£1800 - £2800
Kiln dry elm	58mm thick	£1500 - £3000
Green/ air dry elm	32mm, 58mm, thick sections and burry stock	£1700
Kiln dry beech	32mm , some spalted	£1200 - £1800
Kiln dry beech	58mm , some spalted	£1200- £1850
Kiln dry yew	Out of stock	£1900 - £2400
Kiln dry sycamore	32mm with waney edges	£1400 - £1800
Kiln dry sycamore	45mm, some with waney edges	£1400 - £1950
Air dry sycamore	32mm and 45mm	£1200
Kiln dry lime	58 - 120 mm stock available	£800 - £1100

Boards may be very uniform or they may have pronounced colour variation and some wild grain such as burrs. This is very typical in Scottish Hardwoods and is due to the environment and climate in which our trees grow.

Timber shrinks as it dries out and swells when it gets damp. It can also twist and warp if it gets dried and wetted unevenly. Some movement should be expected in all timber while working and when in use due to moisture variations through the section. This should be accommodated in all designs.

During drying it is very common that timber splits at the ends and it can also get small surface cracks or checks. There will also be greater movement around defects such as knots or burrs. While highly characterful boards are more likely to deform during drying and working it is also these boards that are very often the most stunning when finished. Careful working can display their full glory and it is almost always worth the extra effort to use these boards where a character piece is wanted.

Every board has its own beauty and what to one person may be a defect is to another a wonderful feature in the wood. Many characterful features can be incorporated into a finished piece and indeed all features can be incorporated into the most naturalistic work. However, if you view a particular feature as a defect it can often be worked around with a careful cutting plan that minimizes waste.

If you're not sure what sort of timber to buy for your project, this section should help you get started.

For strength, a traditional look and durability for use outdoors without treatment. Uses include furniture, floors, garden furniture, construction, boat building, decking, cladding and turning. "Pippy" oak can be particularly beautiful.

A great favorite with remarkable grain and colouring - russet, olive, green, pink and yellow - and sometimes burriness. Good for furniture, floors, turnery and domestic features such as mantelpieces. Can be used outdoors with good design.

Very strong with a light, fine texture and lovely rosy colouring which can take on extra character with 'flaming', 'spalting' and rippled grain. Great for floors, furniture, interior joinery and turning.

A straight grained, light coloured wood with natural luster. Occasional ripple trees are very stunning. Used for furniture, floors and turnery.

A tough timber that is moderately durable and therefore suitable for many outdoor uses, often without further treatment. Uses include cladding, decking, doors and floors. (We know its not a hardwood but its a useful locally growing species anyway!)

Like Larch, Douglas Fir is moderately durable and can be used in similar ways. It has a lovely deep red colour. Also, not a hardwood but found locally and very popular.

A light wood which can have highly sought after "olive ash" hearts. It is very hard and resistant to knocks and it is also ideal for steam bending and much used in making Windsor Chairs, furniture and turning.

The sap wood is very light and contrasts markedly with the deep redish brown heartwood, which makes yew very decorative. Mainly used in decorative finishes in furniture and for turnery. It is durable for use outside.

A light and easily workable wood which sometimes has attractive pips and burrs. It can be used for furniture and indoor fittings and paneling and it is particularly good for carving and turnery. It is growing in popularity.