Wood planks for shou sugi ban (Japanese burnt wood cladding) (Presteigne LD8)

I am looking to make a unique decking area around the pagoda of my Japanese garden

I looking for planks of wood that I can then process as shou sugi ban. This is a Japanese technique of burning and then brushing wood. The process (a little like an ancient version of thermowood but with protection of carbon too) creates a resistant surface that can last hundreds of years.

I would like to celebrate the ambit of British woods, their incredible grains and beauty, in a harlequin pattern of different sizes.

I have a thicknesses so providing the board starts at least 25mm thick, I can finish all boards to the same depth.

So can you look in your shed and see if you have one or two boards that you will never use: larch, cedar, oak, Douglas fir, elm... there are so many. If you have something, i am sure I can make something very beautiful if you can spare them.

They can be rough sawn; the charring and brushing transform rough wood to something smooth as silk.

Btw the last pictures show the 14ft Acer we just rehomed from Neath. (and in so doing, saved it from the chainsaw)