Lewes; Locally and regionally available timber

Here is the response from David Saunders (woodland manager operating in Sussex) detailing what timbers are available within the local and regional proximity to Lewes.

'In summary, the timber available relates to the soils and local environment.

Examples:
Downland (chalk soils) - ash, sycamore, elm
Low Weald (clay soils) - oak, hornbeam, field maple
High Weald (sandstone soil) - sweet chestnut, birch, also conifers larch, pine, spruce

There is of course some overlap, and the list of trees is actually much longer, but you should research this yourself - the landscape designations above are clearly mapped if you look for the South Downs National Park, or the High Weald AONB websites, for instance.

If you have a cutting list for the designs you are developing, I might be able to help you find some examples of timber for you to work with, but it is back to you to be more specific. Much of the timber available from the forest is "green" i.e. fresh-cut, and you would have to take shrinkage, degrade on drying, as finding both kiln-dried and local timber is not so easy across the whole range of species above.

I hope this helps.
David'

David Saunders
WOODNET
15/10/2010