Anything from Siberia, Finland, or Northern Sweden isn't like that at all, but of course you won't find it in Wickes. The problem with European Redwood as a species is that it can vary from superb to diabolical depending on where it's grown, and to a certain extent how it's grown, and the price reflects that. Add to that the fact there are a hundred or so other types of "pine" and the "all softwoods are crap" statement becomes meaningless.