Interesting replies by all. Thank you.
I'm wondering, is the different types of pine an issue? Perhaps a "northern" species would be more suitable.
As I look at the responses, I see Pops from Texas, Moikel from Australia, Pineywoods from Florida and Venture from California. All places that are much warmer than Germany is. And much warmer than where I'm from in Canada. I wonder if even the same species of wood from a different climate would behave differently.
Actually, I am from upstate NY, 30 miles from Kingston, Ontario, Canada - just a slip'n'slide across the 1000 Islands Bridge. Moved to Texas at age 46, now 66; been here 20 years.
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