I agree with your comment but I just need to point out that beam/column timber is not old growth wood, it's usually just from normal commercial plantations.
You're right for typical studs, joints, posts, etc.
However, I was thinking that for a highrise timber building, you might need way larger column cross sections than what we're used to seeing (24"x24" - 36"x36" or larger). The typical wood frame construction method of using a ton of load bearing sheathed stud walls scattered throughout doesn't work with these taller types of buildings. You start to see post and beam/panel type framing, which means higher compressive loads, which means larger member sizes.The spruce/pine/fir trees slated for harvesting softwood lumber here in Canada don't seem to reach that size. Hence, you probably need engineered wood products. As a bonus, you also get better and more consistent mechanical properties.
