59 – Pressure Treated, Rot, & Full and Scant Dimensions

Pressure Treated Lumber Varieties

In this episode I talk about pressure treated lumber.  Specifically what differences you can expect between Southern Yellow Pine and Douglas Fir.  Somewhat related to treated lumber, I define wood rot and draw the distinction between bug eaten wood and rot from fungus.  

I discuss Emerald Ash Borer damaged Ash and whether the felled trees can be used as lumber instead of being destroyed.  Is this a gamble worth taking?  And what sawmills are willing to take that risk. 

Also in this episode: how to bleach Walnut to mellow out the color.  By the way, in the episode I wasn't sure with what you dilute Oxalic acid.  Its simply diluted by adding water.

Finally I delve into the term "full" and "scant" when it comes to lumber dimensions.  These terms get thrown around a lot and really break down to the principles of nominal vs actual dimensions or rough sawn and planed dimensions.  Full and scant are additional ways to tell us that we really mean the lumber is the dimension stated.

Feedback

• Steve has personal experience with Pecan in reference to episode 56
• Jim writes back about his Cherry plywood mentioned in episode 57
• Sam has excellent feedback on stretching our lumber farther from episode 54

emails

• Jim asks about differences between various species of pressure treated lumber
• Martin wonders about the viability of lumber from EAB damaged Ash.
• Tony asks about wood rot in heartwood vs sapwood
• Sam asks how to lighten the color of Walnut
• Matt is confused about the term "full" being used in lumber dimensions