Timber Talks – News from the sawmill – discover what we are up to.
7 Things to Know About Ash
Ash (Fraxinus Excelsior), also known as European Ash or Common Ash, is a timber that has been used in the United Kingdom for centuries. You're probably aware of Ash from all the press surrounding Ash Dieback Disease, which unfortunately
5 Best Timbers for Sustainability and Environment
At W.L. West & Sons we are very aware of the importance of selecting timber that supports your overall environmental goals. We are committed to helping sustainability initiatives wherever possible. Supporting a healthy planet not only has all the
Introducing the new FlexiRip
Introducing Flexi Rip: New Technology Over the last 18 months it has become apparent we needed to find new technology for sawing. With research, we needed to find the safest and quickest saw to cut more of the T/T
Iroko: An Ideal Hardwood for Joinery
What is Iroko? Iroko is a durable hardwood from the tropical west coast of Africa. Iroko wood is an exceptionally strong, dense and highly durable wood which is naturally resistant to insect attack and decay. Golden in colour, Iroko
4 Historic Timber Restoration Projects We Loved
4 Historic Timber Restoration Projects We Loved At WL West & Sons we are honoured to have worked on many interesting projects. Here we are taking a look at four of the historic restorations we were lucky enough to
A Day with the International Boat Training College
A Day with IBTC Portsmouth Last week we had the pleasure of hosting a visit from 16 members of the International Boat Training College (IBTC), based at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The visit was specifically from final year students
Hornbeam: The Unsung Hero of Temperate Hardwoods
Hornbeam: The Unsung Hero of Temperate Hardwoods What is Hornbeam? Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is also known as White Beech, although is not part of the beech family. Hornbeam is found throughout Europe and grows in hilly regions, in England
5 Fencing Trends Popular in 2022
5 Fencing Trends Popular in 2022 When you think of a fence, you probably picture the standard larchlap fencing, which is hardly anything to get excited by. But, we are seeing an increase in people styling their fencing to
Greenheart: A Brief Guide To This Popular Construction Hardwood
Greenheart: A Brief Guide To This Popular Construction Hardwood What is Greenheart? Greenheart (Ocotea rodiei) is a magnificent hardwood sourced in South America, specifically Guyana, Surinam, Brazil and Venezuela. Greenheart is one of the densest and strongest hardwoods in nature,
The Best Substitute for Teak Wood
The Best Substitute for Teak Wood What is Teak Wood? Teak wood is a strong and durable close-grained type of hardwood, that is high in minerals, natural oils and rubber. It is sourced from the Tectona Grandis tree, found
The Role of Trees in Carbon Capture & Climate Change
Carbon is a non-metal element which is inert, and the total amount on the plant is strangely relatively constant. Everything around us is made up of carbon, including our own beings, animals, plants, soils and more. Of the carbon
Pros and Cons of Framire Timber
The Pros of Framire Framire timber (otherwise known as Idigbo or Frameri) is an exotic African hardwood timber which is known for its versatility and stability. It was commonly used between 1930's and 1960's as an oak substitute, mainly