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This is an alternative building option that is, obviously, best in wooded areas that can take advantage of the local supply. It is also know as cordwood masonry, stackwall construction, and stackwood construction. It is a very aesthetically pleasing, rustic type of building.
This takes that basic idea of stone walls and applies it to cordwood. Short lengths of cordwood or debarked tree are laid crosswise with cob or mortar. The walls are generally between twelve and twenty four inches thick. The cost is significantly less than the initial cost of stick frame houses if the labor is mostly done by the owner and/or volunteers.
There are certain types of wood that are more acceptable than others: Pacific yew, the new growth of bald cypress, cedars, and junipers. However, Douglas fir, western larch, Eastern white pine, spruce pine poplar, tamarack, and Monterey pine are also alright. Less dense, airy woods are superior because that type of wood wouldn’t shrink or expand as much. Most woods can be used though if they have been properly dried and acclimated to the area’s humidity. Logs from the same species and source are preferred because any shrinking and expanding they will do will be closer to the same.
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