Structural lumber from suppressed-growth ponderosa pine from northern Arizona.

Abstract

Lumber was sawn from 150 suppressed-growth ponderosa pine trees, 6 to 16 inches in diameter, harvested near Flagstaff, Arizona. This paper presents grade recover and properties for dry 2 by 4s sawn from the logs and graded by a variety of structural grading systems. Flexural properties met or exceeded those listed in the National Design Specification. When graded as Light Framing, 43 percent of the 2 by 4s made Standard and Better and as Structural Light Framing, 34 percent made No. 2 and better. Warp was the biggest factor limiting grade yield. About 7 percent of the lumber would make a machine stress-rated (MSR) lumber grade of 1450f, but with no established market such production is not recommended. If graded as laminating stock, about 8 percent of the lumber qualified as 1.3 or better. A comparison of the results from this study with those from a companion study indicates that appearance grades offer the highest value alternative for lumber produced from this resource.

Citation

Gorman, Thomas M.; Green, David W.; Cisternas, Aldo G.; Hernandez, Roland; Lowell, Eini C. 2007. Structural lumber from suppressed-growth ponderosa pine from northern Arizona. Forest Products Journal. 57(12): 42-47