Greetings All,
     Ivan asked about various types of wood to make hive bodies from.
Being a woodworker myself, I have had a lot of discussion about the subject
with others, and have made a couple of discoveries about the different
types of wood.  First, most woodenware is produced from one of the pine
species because it is easy to work, easy to find, and bees accept it
readily.  Another fine wood to use is of course cypress, but unless you
order the bodies, or live near the swamp areas of the south, cypress wood
is tough to find. Unless you have the proper equipment, you will wear out
many of your power tools trying to work oak. Various types of cedar are
mentioned often, but for use only as an outer cover or bottom board.  Bees
have a difficult time accepting it as a hive body.  And no matter what you
do, Eastern Red Cedar is very seldom accepted in any use in a hive.
Hope that helps!
Scott