Using Douglas fir as hive boxes

[Curly green finger's]

Hi, what are your thoughts about the above title..
I've got some one who can make me hive shells there a bit cheaper than cedar what do you think.

We have got some soft wood hives to make up but there not that good.. They would be OK to use in the warmer parts of the season but I wouldn't want to overwinter in them.
Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[understanding_bees]

Hi, what are your thoughts about the above title..
I've got some one who can make me hive shells there a bit cheaper than cedar what do you think.

We have got some soft wood hives to make up but there not that good.. They would be OK to use in the warmer parts of the season but I wouldn't want to overwinter in them.
Thanks in advance.

Mark

You mentioned "Douglas Fir" - I think that is another name for what we call "Öregon" in Australia. If we are talking about the same species of timber, I would not be using it for hive boxes. It is strong and durable when used in house construction, but it does not do particularly well if exposed to the weather, as it splits rather easily and is not noted for rot resistance.

 

[Woodland bees]

Douglas Fir is described as moderately durable, the same as Larch. I've no experience of Douglas but I've used a fair bit of untreated larch outside and it lasts a fair amount of time. I'd happily use it for brood boxes (I have a few planks for that purpose). It is noticeably heavier though.

 

[philipm]

Its heavier than cedar and needs some sort of treatment every year to stop it rotting .Won't last as long as cedar but if you can get it cheap enough and you don't mind the weight why not.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Thanks folks.. I plan to get 20 brood boxes made and will treat them a few times before I use them, I'm not to worried about the weight.
But was more concerned with them splitting and the knots falling out and maybe the resin that is sucreted from the wood.
Cheers.

 

[Murox]

Thanks folks.. I plan to get 20 brood boxes made and will treat them a few times before I use them, I'm not to worried about the weight.
But was more concerned with them splitting and the knots falling out and maybe the resin that is sucreted from the wood.
Cheers.

Have a look at using Larch, its what I made my long deep hives from.

 

[Curly green finger's]

I will inquire it might even bee cheaper than Douglas.

 

[Murox]

I will inquire it might even bee cheaper than Douglas.

I had the luxury of getting it from a local farm sawmill - cut to size more or less as well - £1 per linear meter at X thickness and as wide as the tree allowed.

 

[Curly green finger's]

I had the luxury of getting it from a local farm sawmill - cut to size more or less as well - £1 per linear meter at X thickness and as wide as the tree allowed.

That's where the Douglas is coming from a local sawmills, he supplies all our sleepers and fencing posts etc.
Im going to speak to him on the weekend about using larch before I place my order.

 

[protheroe]

If I remember rightly it was Murray(into the lions den)who had Douglas fir boxes that were really old

 

[Curly green finger's]

If I remember rightly it was Murray(into the lions den)who had Douglas fir boxes that were really old

Interesting thanks protheroe.. I suppose most BFs try and make boxes as cheap as they can if there cany and want to save a penny or two.
Cheers.

 

[Katherine]

I had the luxury of getting it from a local farm sawmill - cut to size more or less as well - £1 per linear meter at X thickness and as wide as the tree allowed.

Crickey another good reason to move to Scotland.

 

[Murox]

Crickey another good reason to move to Scotland.

Its not always like that sadly. Most goods here cost significantly more than in towns and cities, plus there is nearly always a surcharge for delivered items. Ho hum.

 

[GuyNir]

Its not always like that sadly. Most goods here cost significantly more than in towns and cities, plus there is nearly always a surcharge for delivered items. Ho hum.

Some consider D&G as a remote area

 

[Murox]

Some consider D&G as a remote area

Thats a real "bummer", especially as you have more than one road in and out and Scotrail too!!

 

[Katherine]

D&G?

 

[Erichalfbee]

D&G?

Dumfries and Galloway?

 

[GuyNir]

Dumfries and Galloway?

Aye, my details provides a clue.