Pressure Treated Wood

This is a material that should be used only when the wood is in contact with concrete or soil.  Too often we see it used inside a tower where it is protected from the elements and adds no value. It is basically very poor quality southern yellow pine.  An 8 x 8 fast grown SYP timber, even pressure treated, is very short lived as compared to local pine or even better white oak.  Pressure treating in a large timber only penetrates into the wood about 1/2 inch leaving the center to rot extremely quickly.

Local wood is far better and the roofing and flashing will keep it dry and rot will not be an issue.  Pressure treated lumber is also extremely difficult to work for high quality scarf joints and joinery, not to mention the serious health risks of working with it.

Plywood: Sheathing boards are preferable to plywood. They are more authentic, are virtually the same cost as plywood, and do not create a rigid plate in what is meant to be a flexible structure. Steeples, in practice, are meant to deflect somewhat under load so it is preferable to allow this movement to continue.