[Moltke]

There are no forests in Europe to replace the timbers used to support the roof and towers none.

There are enough forests in Europe to build millions of Notre Dames. 10s of billion cubic meters of usable lumber. Perhaps you should clarify your statement?

[central_va]

Use steel trusses in the rework.

[RedMonqey]

Perhaps you should clarify your statement?

I'll ben happy to.

Back when these cathedrals were built, the forest of Europe were full of "virgin cut" forests, meaning they were allowed to grow to their optimum growth and the foresters who supplied the timber for these magnificent structures could pick and choose the best of the best. This mean only the strongest, without blemish or defect were allowed to put into the Lord's Holiest temple. Nowadays, the forests that supplies the hoist, joists frames and rafters have been picked over many times from the centuries of ship building, building castles and mundane hovel's of the peasant folk..

That's was one of the many blessings America provided the Old World was the untouched forests of boundless trees of excellent timber.

Yes there are preserves of the rick and of the state but even these may be resentful of using their estates to build such a arachic structure as a church.

Not positive of the type these cathedrals were built of but wood like oak takes time to add length and strength to withstand the weight of ton's of lead, clay tiles and stone to withstand the stress of the ages.

Could there still be trees of the right type, age , girth and free of blemish(knots, rots etc.) I guess. I don't European forest management.

I hope it can be done but the cost would run into the billions of dollars. Money I 'm not sure the increasing secular and Idlasmiv population would be willing to bear the costs of construction.