The potential for developing alternate grading rules for birch lumber in Alaska

Abstract

Alaska birch lumber is often characterized by small knots and other character defects that can reduce its value when graded according to conventional hardwood lumber-grading rules. In this study, 626 boards (2,782 board feet of lumber) were graded; first according to standard National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) rules, and then a second time using an alternative rule that did not consider defects less than 0.5 inch in diameter to be grade-reducing defects. Mill locations included two sites in interior Alaska and two sites in south-central Alaska. With the alternative grading rule, average lumber value across all grades increased by $138.31 per thousand board feet (MBF) (versus standard NHLA rules), an increase of more than 36 percent. The lower grades of lumber exhibited the greatest potential for upgrading, both in terms of volume and value. Nearly 74 percent of lumber in grades 2A, 3A, and 3B Common was upgraded as a result of the alternative grading rules, resulting in an overall increase in value of $154.37 per MBF.

Citation

Nicholls, D.; Parrent, D.; Pavia, K.J. 2004. The potential for developing alternate grading rules for birch lumber in Alaska. Forest Products Journal. 54(2): 57-60