Personally, I have found the TFG Design and Joinery Handbook invaluable - the handbook includes a set of tables showing design values (modulus of elasticity, etc) for various species. Great resoure for comparison and for use in calculation of beam sizes required for various species. Always good to have an engineer/architect do a "reality check" on your selections. See the TFG book store for ordering- cost $25 and well worth it.

Ok TFG.....where is my commission check?