It is no secret that wood furniture, decks, and fences change color as they age – sometimes very quickly. Teak, in particular, can start changing color in a matter of minutes in direct sunlight, and freshly cut cherry wood is often mistaken for maple without its distinct red tones. While it may be impossible to control how the wood changes, it is possible to guide the development of the desired colors by controlling exposure to outside elements like water and oxygen.

There are hundreds of millions of acres of trees spread throughout the United States and Canada that have been killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle. These trees are known as Beetle Kill Pine trees. Although the circumstances may seem unfortunate, these trees are salvageable and in high demand for their unique hue and quality.

With the weather warming up, you may be ready to tackle that deck project that you’ve been dreaming about. You’ll have some decisions to make when it comes to purchasing your boards, though, including the length of your boards. We asked experts to share you some guidance on that topic. Read on to learn more.