If I lived where you do and if this is a bench you want to look good and to preform well I would go with Southern Yellow pine. IT SHOULD BE PURCHASED KILN DRIED AND IN 2X12 12’ LENGTH THIS WILL YIELD THE STUFF YOU WILL NEED AT A Great price. Other than this affordable choice any Maple will be fine. I love the silver Maple I am using to build my benches with it machines much better than hard maple and is easier on the tools than the hard maple or ipie. The classic choice is beach, but I suggest you get the syp it is cheep and it is strong and it looks great. I was going to drive to Texas to get me some then A LJ named John Ormsby sold me some Maple thanks to Medic Ken and the rest is history. The Schwarz made his French Bench out of Syp so Syp does not suck.
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