A guide to homegrown British timber

Britain is known for its great rolling fields, lush woodland and vast areas of greenery. In fact, around 90% of British land is undeveloped, proving just how large our natural landscape is. It is no surprise, then, that there is a lot of homegrown timber to grow around.

At EcoChoice, we are big advocates of using native timber in British construction projects. From the lower carbon footprint of delivery to the abundance of non-threatened species we have on our own land, it is a no-brainer to back British timber. If you are interested, take a look at some of our top picks for species grown on British soil.

British Cedar Timber

There are a few varieties of Cedar, including the well-known British Cedar. A durable choice (though not as hardy as Canadian Western Red Cedar), it is suitable for external applications, including decking and cladding.

One of our favourite aspects of British Cedar is that it is budget-friendly! It is a super cost-effective choice for outdoor use, making it ideal if you are looking for durable timber on a budget.

British Larch Timber

British Larch is a softwood timber. But – despite what the name suggests – this softwood is by no means soft. Larch is one of the toughest non-hardwoods out there and will bring plenty of oomph to your project.

However, if you are using it externally, it is smart to add a finish which makes it more resistant to rot and insect infestation, and if left untreated we would only recommend it for internal use.

British Douglas Fir Timber

British Douglas Fir is one of the toughest softwoods grown on British soil. It is well-known for its strength, making it a popular choice for applications which need tougher timber, e.g. cladding. Douglas Fir is also famed for its good looks as a redwood, with a deep reddy-brown which makes it a standout in terms of aesthetics. It has good durability and does not need to be treated for external applications.

British Oak Timber

How can we talk about British timber without mentioning Oak? By far the most famed and celebrated timber from the UK (and England’s national tree), this super-strong hardwood is a staple choice for construction. It is well-loved for decking, cladding, fencing, footbridges, furniture and everything in between thanks to its low-maintenance durability. We also supply Oak Sleepers for construction projects, which are a super versatile external building material.

Discover Native British Timber at EcoChoice

At EcoChoice, we love matching British construction projects to their ideal native British timber. All our species are from responsibly managed forests and independently certified by reputable organisations, bringing sustainable timber to your buildings. Ready to find your perfect match? 

Get in touch and we will help you source sustainable British timber.

For more information on A guide to homegrown British timber talk to Ecochoice