Tree species choice

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Tree species choice

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Windymiller

Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 550
Location: West Wales

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 07 9:27 am Post subject: Tree species choice
On my continuing quest for info on wooden houses, I read that Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana is a durable-timber producer. Native to the eastern half of the USA, does anyone know how well it would grow in the UK, particularly in Wales?

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45432
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 07 9:34 am Post subject:
No idea, bit of a long term plan eh?

Northern_Lad

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 07 9:38 am Post subject: Re: Tree species choice

Windymiller wrote:

Native to the eastern half of the USA, ...

That's a heck of a climate differential: from the perma-sun of Florida to the long winters of New England; from coastal margins ticked by huricanes to the edge of the tornado region.

My feeling is that they'll be fine. However, given you're in West Wales check how well rooted they are, and how much soil you've got. The big ones only survive because they're in a clump - individuals will get blown over too easily.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 07 9:52 am Post subject:

Not come across Eastern Red Cedar in my reading, a quick google doesn't sound too promising. It might be worth phoning your local Forestry Commission as I've found them quite helpful in the past and if they don't know they might know someone else who does.

If you've not already found them there are some details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Juniper and here: https://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Juniperus+virginiana

Windymiller

Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 550
Location: West Wales

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 07 9:54 am Post subject:
I'm too old to wait to grow my own, but for future generations! But more durable than much of the softwood grown in the UK. I should have said "in the middle of the eastern half of the USA" Carolina to Ohio etc. They are said to have fine fibrous roots, are good for soil stabilisation. They are shorter than many pines, at about 60', so the longest pieces of thick stuff will be shorter.

deanom

Joined: 19 Apr 2006
Posts: 93
Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 07 1:31 pm Post subject: Try ART
The Agroforestry Research Trust sell the seed, so I guess that it's possible to grow it here. Suggest that you check out their website www.agroforestry.co.uk. Hope this helps

Windymiller

Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 550
Location: West Wales

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 07 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: Try ART

deanom wrote:

The Agroforestry Research Trust sell the seed, so I guess that it's possible to grow it here. Suggest that you check out their website www.agroforestry.co.uk.

Hope this helps

Thanks, very informative website, the tree seems promising.

Grumpy

Joined: 16 Nov 2007
Posts: 1

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 07 10:44 am Post subject: Tree Choice
H[color=brown]i Windymiller. Are you thinking of WESTERN Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)which the Americans use for shingles on the outside of their timber framed houses. The wood is very durable and light. It's also used in the construction of bee hives as it stands the weather well and doesn't need painting or preserving. Grumpy

Windymiller

Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 550
Location: West Wales

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 07 8:38 pm Post subject:
No, the EASTERN cedar, a misnomer as it's a Juniper, is different, but also used as a building timber. I may have to consider a Canadian kit as the €/£ is changing in the wrong direction. The Finnish house kits are getting more expensive. But as we are delaying the move for a year or two, perhaps the situation will change in our favour.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 08 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: Try ART

deanom wrote:

The Agroforestry Research Trust sell the seed, so I guess that it's possible to grow it here. Suggest that you check out their website www.agroforestry.co.uk.

Hope this helps

I've added it to my list of favourites. Thanks for that one.

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