Conversation on choosing wood for outdoor project!

So I was having a conversation with a coworker on what type of wood would be best for an outdoor seating project, not a Bistro set, but an octagon picnic table. My coworker was set on building it with Redwood. This is a great choice for this application as Redwood is not only durable, extremely beautiful but also easy to work into outdoor furniture.
Forever Redwood 4.5-Foot Round Picnic Table with Benches



The problem they immediately ran into was the inability to buy redwood locally (mid west home improvement stores). Redwood can be acquired in this area at a lumber yard and online (I've researched two online sources that deliver to the chicagoland area) but may have to be ordered in advance of your project construction date. However they quickly decided on using pine; applying a light blue finish so that the grain is still very prevalent; then finally applying a lot of polyurethane finish to protect the wood from extreme mid west elements.
I challenged their decision to use pine and asked that they consider cedar:
Red Cedar Octagon Walk-In Picnic Table



Or consider teak and finally eucalyptus wood. They agreed that cedar or teak would be nice and require less maintenance, but stated that it's just too expensive. Well it does come at a slightly higher cost but every bit worth it in longevity and aesthetics.

When I discussed the eucalyptus wood I received an instant No! Why you ask? Because they are afraid of it being brittle, difficult to work, and knotty. I quickly defended the wood because if properly dried and milled, eucalyptus can be worked into beautiful outdoor furniture as you've seen in previous post. I couldn't change their mind today mostly because they want to do the project right away and could run into long lead times to acquire good eucalyptus wood. However I guarantee they will consider eucalyptus in future projects (planning ahead of coarse) to enjoy the durability, less required maintenance and benefits of natural resistance to rot, decay and insect damage. Please give me your thoughts, especially if your located in the mid west.

Outdoor Wood Types and Characteristics for Bistro Sets

• Eucalyptus - is a hardwood that is known for strength, durability and offers excellent weathering characteristics. It is pinkish-brown in color and turns to a reddish-brown with age and exposure to light. Eucalyptus wood is resistant to decay, termite and other insect attack. When finished with high quality penetrating oil, mixed with the stain of your choice, Eucalyptus takes on a teak-like appearance but can be purchased at much lower cost. Scottsdale 3pc Outdoor Eucalyptus Wood Bistro Set Table and Chairs
  
  
  
  

• Teak – A resilient, dense, straight grained, strong, and honey-brown hardwood that is very stable. Teak, primarily harvested from plantations in Southeast Asia, is highly resistant to rot and decay and will last for up to 50 or more years, even if untreated with oil or varnish and left out year-round. Teaks natural water resistant oil provides the protection from insects, bacteria and weather damage. Without using a preservative, teak weathers to a silvering gray color. The primary use of teak is in the production of outdoor furniture such as Bistro Table and Chairs.Le Bistro Teak Round Folding Table with Two Folding Teak Sling Chairs Color Black
  
  
  
  

• Cedar - is not only scented, mold, mildew, and decay resistant, but also has an attractive color and grain. Cedar wood and cedar oil are known to be a natural repellent to insects. White cedar is an affordable, straight grained softer wood that is light in color and easy to craft into outdoor furniture (Bistro sets, benches, tables), naturally splinter free with more knots then teak. Cedar can last up to 25 years.Red Cedar Bistro Patio Dining Collection
  
  
  
  

• Jarrah – Extremely dense, fine-grained hardwood with shades of reddish brown to light pink. Harvested mostly in government-managed forests in Australia; also grows in South America and South Africa. Naturally rot, termite, and fire resistant, it won’t decay. Jarrah will last up to 50 years. No oil or staining required, but can be done with a finish made for jarrah in order to maintain its rich color. Jarrah’s density makes it difficult to work although making it extremely durable so once crafted into Bistro chair or outdoor table it will stand the test of time.
• Red Shorea - The color of red shorea is very much like Teak, and turns the same soft grey over time. Red shorea is a tropical hardwood native to Southeast Asia and has much of the same characteristics as Teak including its resistance to rot and decay. Red Shorea’s biggest attribute is the strength of the timber. It is renowned for its resistance to everyday traffic wear and tear. Red Shorea is exceptionally durable, tightly grained and dense; a perfect solution to Bistro tables.
• Acacia – native to the South Pacific and considered a tropical hardwood. It has a coarse texture and a close, straight grain. Acacia is extremely durable, making it perfect for outdoor furniture, but will dry out, crack and split if not treated yearly with wood preservative.

Liz Collection Bistro Dining Table and Chairs
A must buy!  I can see this in the corner or middle of your outdoor kitchen.  Comfortable, aesthetically gorgeous and priced right all the way.  Do not let this one pass you up.  

Scottsdale 3pc Outdoor Eucalyptus Wood Bistro Set

You will love this Eucalyptus Wood.  Talk about durability and holding up to the elements.  Easily maneuverable and lightweight yet ascetically beautiful on your outdoor patio or next to your pool.

We engineer advice on outdoor bistro table and chairs

We are a family of outdoor enthusiast and pride ourselves in developing comfortable outdoor environments using Bistro Tables and Chairs among other quality patio furniture.  We will provide an immense amount of information ranging from manufacturer ratings, product rankings, price and quality, customer reviews, warranty, useful tips, news feeds as well as companies offering free shipping and handling to name a few.

Our goal is to point you in the direction of complete research and final purchase satisfaction on your new Outdoor Bistro Table and Chairs.