What is the best wood for vigas?

Engelmann spruce is the preferred modern choice because of its wood character and resistance to cracking, per Wikipedia and Capital Lumber specifications. Ponderosa pine is far more commonly used, particularly in New Mexico, because it is widely available, locally sourced, and historically authentic. Ponderosa was the dominant species during the seventeenth-century Spanish Colonial period. Aspen and Douglas fir also appear in regional construction. For decorative tail-only installations, fiber-reinforced polyurethane fauxwood vigas from Volterra and Barron Designs avoid the rot issues solid timber faces on weather-exposed projections. The full-structural rule is to size the species and diameter to span and load per the local building code.