I don't know if shearing strength is the most impotant issue. But I'll put locust at the top of my list for strength any which way. The factor I think that is at least as critical as shearing is rot resistance ! The reason the fore fathers used locust was it was the best suited for the job (white oak is on the short list too). Splits great, decay resistance high, wicked shear properties. I,d advise horn beam if you got it would be fine.( maybe use some borax,as suggest earlier. Use what you got. Right?
