Popular, hickory, elm, red oak or white oak for timber beams?

[Rob in NC]

Ok I got all the above trees laying on the ground from the recent hurricane and I am going to mill some large timbers for some timber framing structures I have on my list in the future. Throw me a list of these wood types from best to worst for making timber beams (probably 6x6, 8x8 and possibly 10x10) I've got to do some research on span limitations.

[Brian C.]

My guess would be either white oak or possibly elm.

[bkaimwood]

I suspect responses will have much personal preference factored in, as does mine, but here goes, in order of favorite first...white oak, red oak, hickory, elm, then poplar (aka popular )...if I had grade logs, and was looking to make $$$$, I would reverse the list by what makes ME the most money, and saw the popular () first, and the rest for grade lumber...