Choice of Timber

We are often asked what timber we use for our beehives and wildlife habitats - in fact, the question is usually, "Do you use cedar?"
There is a common misconception that cedar is the best choice when it actually isn't.

So why is this misconception so common?
It likely stems from the idea that "it has always been that way" or, like most misinformation, is spread through word-of-mouth and advertising while key facts are forgotten or omitted.

A short history lesson might help explain.
Cedar was first used for beehives when modern hives were invented in the U.S.A. by Langstroth and Dadant in the late 19th century.
At the time, the most widely available and affordable timber in the U.S.A. was cedar, so it became the default choice.
Meanwhile, in Europe, beehives were commonly made from deal - a term used for pine, fir, or spruce - again, simply because it was cheap and readily available.

As beehives began to be manufactured and sold, European suppliers marketed two options: locally sourced deal (inexpensive) or imported cedar (expensive). This reinforced the assumption that "expensive = best."
To justify the high price, cedar was advertised as being "rot-resistant" - a claim that, like most marketing, was only a half-truth.

The reality about cedar:
Not all cedar varieties have the same properties. Only Western Red Cedar has natural rot resistance, and even then, only its heartwood possesses this trait.
The heartwood makes up just 50–60% of the timber, while the remaining sapwood has no rot resistance at all.
Even if only heartwood were used (which it isn’t), it would be dense, making it heavy and poorly insulating.

Despite this, the belief in cedar’s superiority became so ingrained that some suppliers now sell beehives made from U.K. grown cedar.
This is a poor choice for beehives due to the slower growth in the U.K. climate, it is heavier, less insulating, and often full of knots.
Worse still, many assume cedar habitats don’t need water-repellent treatment. This mistake allows the timber to soak up moisture, leading to damp conditions inside the hive or habitat.
A wet beehive or wildlife habitat is a serious problem - just like standing outside in wet clothes, it rapidly lowers the occupants’ comfort and health.
Repeated wet-dry cycles can also cause timber to warp and crack over time.

For more on protecting hive timber, see: Bee Hive Wood Treatment

Our choice: Paulownia
With nearly 30 years of full-time bee farming experience, we have tested almost every style of hive and type of timber.
this led us to choose paulownia for all our beehives and habitats because it offers unmatched benefits:

• Lightweight: Paulownia has a density of just 260–310 kg/m³, compared to Western Red Cedar (~340 kg/m³), making it easier to handle.
• Excellent insulation: The low density also make it extremely insulating, protecting from extreme cold in winter and excessive heat in summer - better for bees and wildlife.
• High strength-to-weight ratio: It is the strongest timber available for its weight.
• Sustainable: Paulownia reaches maturity in just 5–7 years making it a more environmentally friendly and sustainable choice.