Has anyone tried any exotic types of wood for hive bodies? I was thinking that I would like to build a couple or three hive bodies out of something exotic just for grins. I would like to have something that was naturally water resistant that would show its grain and color. Any suggestions?
talked to the lumber yard about Cyprus lumber big enough for hive body's and it 4.99 a foot.
i can order them in for that.
I used to be a carpenter and used anything that was scrap... it all works, but hardwood is heavy (although it typically lasts well) and as we always said when building houses, "you're not building a piano..."
Some of the more exotic woods are naturally oily to repel water, some of them will cause slight respiratory and skin reactions in humans, not sure how they might affect the bees. They may abscond if the oils were too overpowering for them. You could always try making a veneered hive body.
G3