146 – They Don’t Grow ‘Em Like They Use To

How Lumber is Sawn: old Stud Debate

Back in episode 8 I talked about the argument over how studs aren't the same as they were back in the days of yore.  It seems every few months someone posts an image of the growth rings of a stud they pulled out of the wall from an old home and compares it to one right off the rack at Home Depot.  I will address the stud farms issue again in this episode but really want to focus on how lumber is sawn into boards today not to make big, wide boards, but to meet market demand.  

Certainly there are some wood species that just aren't as large and tall as they were 100 years ago, I argue that today we have optimized our forests and harvest practices to meet the demands.  More and more sawmills are doing more of the transformation work to size boards.  This means that what you find on your lumber yard racks won't be wide boards or even super thick boards.  They will be what is commonly use by the lion share of the industry.  Don't confuse this optimization of lumber sizes with the idea that trees don't grow like they use to.

Listener Links

Sharif shared this cool video that give a look into the growth of Seattle as a lumber hub and the fall from the boom times to now.  While this is specific to Seattle it is a good metaphor for the entire industry in North America.  Something to think about as the politically charged rhetoric these days talks about investing in local lumber.