Western Red Cedar: supplier found!

[pbh4]

I have read various discussions on this forum in the last year about where to source WRC for making hives. I have previously bought from Whitmore's Timber in Claybrooke Magna, Leicestershire but it is imported from Canada and they charge £30 per cubic foot + VAT. (Their 6" board is a tad narrow too!)

I have now discovered Rowan Woodland Products near Coalville in Leicestershire and want to recommend them. I met up with Mick Waldram, the proprietor, today and he sold me some WRC for £15 per cubic foot. (In fact I bought enough for the sides of 3 national brood boxes and 5 supers plus bars for 12 boxes for £40 + VAT so that is even cheaper)

RWP do woodland management including felling trees. They plank the logs on a wonderful Woodmizer portable bandsaw mill similar to the this one: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DtSuvwk5Ao[/ame] . All the timber is locally sourced in the National Forest.

Here are the details in case anyone else is looking for wood for winter hive making:

Rowan Woodland Products
47 Main Street, Swannington
Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 8QL

Mick Waldram
T: 01530 811418
M: 07721 618899

(Don't just turn up in Swannington expecting to find wood! It is on a farm in the middle of nowhere. Give Mick a ring. Very helpful fellow)

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Springer]

Thankyou very much for posting that information Paul. Looks very interesting I will be giving the man a ring. I have been using "redwood" for my hives from a large local firm but the quality is not a good as I would like for the purpose.
I find it amazing that 180 members have read the post and nobody bothered to submit an acknowledgement. Is it me or are bee-keepers just a bit unusual
On a Homebrew forum that I post on your information would have received quite a few replies, considering that I have not even seen a good source of cedar to date.
Thanks again
S

 

[For want of a better word]

Cedar wine ?
Stick to my fermented honey products thanks!

Interesting to read of hives being made in the traditional red cedar... thought every one was going over to plastick!!!

 

[rae]

Noted. Certainly looks promising. I'm waiting to find a red cedar tree, and have several tree surgeons keeping their eyes open for one that needs felling. I'm in the middle of fixing up a 1970s diesel table saw with a 26" blade, which will be good enough for making planks....

 

[PuckUk]

Lucky find, will be giving this chap a call to order a quantity ready for some winter therapy in the shed whilst the Bees are quiet.

Great find, thanks for posting...

 

[Somerford]

Just 'Red' this post, 'Wood' be a crime not to follow it up...

Somerford

 

[Worldsend]

Winter Therepy in the shed --that sounds exciting, all Ive got to look forward to is the ironing

 

[Merlin]

Well thanks very much for posting that Pbh4 - I have been casting around for a supplier and here is one on my doorstep. I will be in touch with the man. Thanks again.
Rgds

Merlin