A guide to the use of urban timber FB 50
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
A guide to the use of urban timber (FB 50) was written by Geoff Cooper and published by BRE on 31 July 2012.
Every day across the UK, thousands of tonnes of wood residue are produced through arboricultural work. However, the timber this produces is normally variable and inconsistent, resulting in problems with collection, transportation and selection. As a result, much of it is relegated to the much or firewood bin.
FB 50 is a 64-page illustrated guide to using timber from the UK’s urban timber resource, including street, park and urban woodland trees. It provides guidance on the selection and identification of high-value stems, as well as processing, drying, transport, storage and the logistical problems of dealing with felled material.
The guidance promotes the use of many common and exotic species for high-value solid wood products rather than being processed for firewood, chipped to produce mulch or sent to landfill. It is intended to help local authorities maximise the value of timber produced in towns and cities and to develop the best options for using solid wood produced during normal maintenance.
The contents of the guide are:
- Introduction.
- Material and species availability.
- Assessing stems for timber production.
- Value-added growth feature.
- A sawmill perspective.
- Timber dimensions, measurement and material grading.
- Wood drying.
- Air drying.
- The kiln drying of timber.
- Kiln drying processes.
- Drying schedules.
- Problems associated with wood drying.
- Calculating value.
- Identifying prospective markets.
- Appendix: Species list and wood property information.
- References.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 11 things you didn't know about wood.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Carpentry.
- Cat's paw figure.
- Definition of tree for planning purposes.
- Delivering sustainable low energy housing with softwood timber frame.
- Dunnage.
- End racking.
- Facts about forestry.
- Forest ownership.
- Forests.
- Physical Properties of Wood.
- Rip sawing.
- Ripple figure.
- Spalting.
- The differences between hardwood and softwood.
- Tiger-stripe figure.
- Timber preservation.
- Timber sticker.
- Timber vs wood.
- Timber.
- Tree preservation order.
- Tree rights.
- Types of timber.
- Urban trees.
- Waney edged.
Featured articles and news
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.