Home grown Douglas Fir exterior cladding

[davidc]

I have a couple of large Douglas Fir that need clearing from my self-build plot, I am wondering if it maybe worthwhile considering using them for exterior cladding (for main dwelling not outbuildings) if I can get them milled - does anyone have any knowledge regarding that ? I believe Siberian Larch would be better, at least if it was available, but I'm trying to gauge how inferior non-plantation Douglas Fir might be.

 

Does Douglas Fir require pressurised preservative treatment that leaves it with an orange hue ?

 

Thanks

Edited December 19, 2022 by davidc

[JohnMo]

There's a mill at Nairn, that only does Douglas fir and Scottish larch.

 

They may be able to help.  I got larch in 4.8m lengths, so they can process good lengths.

[JohnMo]

Doesn't need pressurised treatment, but does need to be oiled to keep its colour

[jamieled]

I think the Scottish association of hardwood sawmillers has a list of mobile sawmills if you need to find someone to mill it.

[Nick Thomas]

Would https://www.chainsawbars.co.uk/product/granberg-alaskan-2461cm-mk-iv-chainsaw-mill-for-logs-up-to-22-56cm/ (lots of different sizes available) be an option for you? You can just walk up to the tree and turn it into a set of boards where it lies.

 

Only seen it being done on the telly, but it looked fun.

[saveasteading]

You have Russwood at Newtonmore itself. Best call in.

We got our treated cladding from there.

[davidc]

Thanks folks, it was really the question of how the Fir might perform versus the Larch option (i.e. splitting, bowing, fungal growth etc) in the first place that I'm wondering about most of all.