In the 1740s the 4th Earl of Loudoun in the adjoining Loudoun Estates set about a major agricultural reform program. As well as draining and clearing ground, he planted out vast areas of woodland, in many cases using imported species from America. This timber would be maturing and ready for use in the next century. Legs and Stretchers were made from local Elm and Ash. The arm bow was from a curved branch of Ash or Oak. McMath is reported to have known every promising curved branch in the area.

In the later part of the century all the components were occasionally made from American Birch, clearly in an attempt to achieve a uniformity of appearance.