We use slow-grown spruce for our Fish Ponds as it is better all-round than pine! Spruce is less porous than Pine and so less likely to shrink, warp or split which is important as it needs to be strong to combat intense workouts. We only select slowly grown timber from colder climates. This helps to keep the timber more stable as the rings are densely packed. It is also a less resinous timber compared to pine, which makes the possibility of sap ruining your clothes or outdoor furnishings much less likely.