I can't speak of timbers used particularly before the 1960's but I can say
that at least in the Yorkshire coal mines that the main timbers used were
pine, both in the form of props and "chock wood", but there was a lot of
native hardwoods used as well, hardwood chock blocks, back boards and foot
pads (used as packers and supporting props on softer floors etc). As an ex
amatuer woodturner I have "noted" much use of oak, elm, sycamore, ash and
particularly beech in a relatively higher quantity than the latter species.
During the 1960's particularly I would think that a lot of home grown
hardwoods were used, the difference between the hard and soft timbers was
certainly evident when it came to unloading a tram full of 4" x 4" x 24"(or
worse 6" x 6") chock wood, or throwing one onto the coal face.
|