The Best Wood to Use to Make a Picnic Table

Cedar or Redwood

• Western red cedar and redwood have been used to build outdoor furniture for many years. Both resist rot and insect damage, readily accept stain, and weather well even if left untreated. If you reside in the western U.S. where these species are native, they might make ideal choices. However, if you live near the Atlantic Coast, the shipping costs of bringing these materials to the East Coast may transform them into budget busters, assuming they are available at all. You might be able to place an order through a true lumber yard, but you will need to pay in advance including the shipping costs. If you have your heart set on these woods, order a bit extra, just in case. That said, despite their positive attributes, both cedar and redwood are relatively soft. If you use them to build the tabletop, they may dent somewhat easily.

White Pine

• In the Northeast, white pine has long been recognized as an ideal furniture wood. As an example, the famous Adirondack Chair is usually constructed from it. The heart wood of white pine is knot free and easy to fasten. If dried thoroughly, white pine has superior paint and stain holding properties. However, like most soft woods, white pine is subject to rapid ground rot. If you build your backyard table using it, you might consider placing the legs atop concrete pavers. Like redwood and cedar, white pine grows in a specific geography. If you reside in the desert Southwest where cedar is readily available, white pine may not be.

Pressure Treated

• While not possessing the aesthetic qualities of redwood, cedar, or white pine, pressure treated lumber is still an ideal material for outdoor building. The wood, usually southern yellow pine, has been chemically treated through a water injection of preservatives to prevent rot. When purchased, it may still be heavy from the weight of the water and the planks should be ricked, stacked and weighted to allow them to dry thoroughly while preventing them from warping. If you use pressure treated lumber, fasten the pieces with epoxy coated "green screws." Standing the legs on pavers is advisable as well.

Mix and Match

• As opposed to selecting one wood for the project, why not use several varieties? You might build the legs and trestle from pine or cedar and the top from pressure treated wood, five quarter white oak planks, or some combination of the other woods mentioned. In the end, the best wood might be a product of what's available and affordable.