Reply by PBWilson1970

Ipe comes in more sizes and is more available without knots or shakes or checks compared with Mesquite.
You just need some backup carbide tools to deal with the hardness and some human growth hormone if you ever want to move them!

White Oak and Black Locust are also hard and weather resistant.

Cypress and Cedar and Redwood are softer but hang in there in the elements well.

-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning.