hive is made from 100% cypress. I do not intend to
paint any of it. The top metal is made from used
aluminum plates from a local newspaper press (cost
about $4 per dozen plates). Here in the south,
cypress can be found at small sawmills and sells for
about $80/1000 board feet air dried and dressed.
Cypress is a soft wood like pine, so it cuts similarly
to pine.