@GregArcus @maureenk

Yeah, in most of northern Europe, buildings built of timber or mostly of timber were normally based on oak rather than softwood. Exceptions are wooden buildings in Scandinavia where softwood is the dominant material.

This used to be my local pub in the town where I was raised. Half timbered construction in oak. It dates back to - no one really knows for certain - the 15th century maybe - the pub itself proudly proclaims itself as dating from 1180 like the adjacent parish church of St Mary (which really does date from the 12th century)