[log in to unmask] wrote:
>
>   I see no problems using rough cut lumber in hive construction provided the
> wood is properly seasoned.
>    I should expect that due to the woods rough texture the bees will tend to
> propolize it a bit more than planed wood.
>    If you desire to have your wood planed  the width of a hive body is well
> within the range of just about every thickness planer out there and I am
> certain you could trade a jar or two of honey with a hobby woodworker for the
> job.
>    Or  barring a planer a course grit belt on a belt sander would smooth the
> wood
>    In any case the bees won't care if the wood is planed or rough.
>
> Beekeeper woodworker sharpener
 
Seems to me that there are a lot of opinions regarding the use of rough
vs. smooth surfaced wood for manufacturing beehives, most likely are due
to personal preference. There is nothing wrong with personal preference,
as many of us will have found, that either type is suitable depending on
various factors.
The one factor that no has mentioned so far, is that honeybees are the
ones who are going to live in those contraptions and that honeybees will
adapt to just about any environment to make their nest, from the
roughest to the smoothest. I have taken a great deal of feral bees from
a great variety of hollows neither of which was smooth by any shape of
the imagination. Any seasoned beekeeper will quickly ascertain that bees
prefer a feral setting to the best type hive that man can make. Hence,
without adding fuel to what I see as the initial stages of another un-
ending controversy, I would like to cap (pun intended) my contribution
by saying, to each his own!
The best of wishes to everyone during the holiday season and may the New
Year bring us huge honey harvests!
Pedro