Christopher,

Point taken, A good TF engineer is worth his weight in golld 10X over, there is however, a disappointing trend taking place in engineering. "CYA" engineering has become the norm rather than the exception. It is due to lawsuits and I understand it is not going away. Today's engineers seldom place any materials in testing these days and do most structural analysis based on tables and computer modeling. These tables are in essence only "rule of thumb" for a given GROUP of species. Seldom is follow up testing done to verify complete working unit. Real world application:

Scenario 1

1. Logger cuts tree without knowing end use.
2. Mill cuts into lumber not knowing end use.
3. Lumber grader grades timber not knowing end use of timber and based on grade tables. Grade tables are based on average safe working loads.
4. Engineer specifies joints and timbers based on average safe working loads per his tables and adds a little CYA factor.
5. Hourly laborer lays out and cuts each timber which is grade stamped based on shop drawings which reflect a enginners stamp.
6. Frame is erected by commercial timberframing company and then they leave.
7.Holes are bored through it by Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, security system installer, Cable TV installer, etc. who have no knowledge of timber framing structural elements.
8. Local Building inspector looks at Stamped plans and graded timbers and calls all good as he has little knowledge of timber frames and CO is issued.

Scenario 2

1. A frame is designed with sound historically proven joinery.
2. Local trees are selected for specific purposes by timber framer, based on his cut into logs of appropriate length and labeled for sawyer.
3. Local sawyer cuts logs to specified dimensions. Any questionable timbers are culled and set aside for scantlings.
4. Timbers are layed out and cut by timber framer with knots, crown, twist, shake, check and grain runout taken into consideration for each timber.
5. Frame is erected by neighborhood help without engineer or building inspector involvement.
6. All sub trades work under supervision of timber framer.
7. Timber framer hands keys to the new owner upon completion.

Evaluate:

Which one of these structures would you want to live in?
Which one is most likely standing 200 years form now?
Which one is most environmentally responsible? Which one is most likely to be involved in costly litigation?
Which one costs the least?

Too bad that housing is a function of legality these days rather than craftsmanship isn't it.

I have seen too many high dollar engineering screwups. My faith in engineers is not as great as it is in real world testing and a working knowledge of the materials at hand.

"Leave it to an engineer" is often the kiss of death rather than assurance of positive outcome.