[special-K]

I used yellow pine,like original,in my last job. It's not real available,but not crazy high priced and it's the right stuff. If prices are that high around town you might consider finding an online place and pay the shipping. For that matter,maybe just buying the bedwood might be the way to go. We have specialty woods places around here and when I hear the prices it makes me wonder why I even asked. The funny thing is,maple grows like weeds around here and it is by no means a protected species. I have a tree on my place that would do 100 beds. It's huge! Maples grow fast,too. I bet I pull 500 saplings every year,not to mention the ones I mow over.
I have a friend with one of the largest recycled woods businesses in the country...or world. I'm lucky for that,but he still doesn't give me much of a break. Another cabinet maker friend has a mill and his specialty is quarter sawn oak. If I help mill it I can get it much cheaper.