Hi group,

I'm wondering what wood to use for an unstayed mast (junk rig). I have
the book Practical Junk Rig here. The authors (British) recommend
Scots Pine as the best, but a Canadian government publication tells me
that Canadian Scots Pine is a much lower-quality wood than that grown
in Europe, on account of inferior seeds having been used to introduce
them here. They also recommend larch, of which we have plenty.

I have access to several woodlots with appropriately-sized trees, so
I'd appreciate a recommendation on what wood to use. I'd like to get
it cut before the sap starts to flow back into the trees this spring.

Alternatively, I know of a telephone pole factory that could sell me
my sticks, but I'm not sure how well I could control what species I'd
get in that case.

Regards,
-Maxime