Douglas fir plays defense

hOUGLAS fir is not taking the I-Toppssilion lying down. Supply has been hindered by severe government logging restrictions in its western region. Alternative materials and species, from radiata pine to southern yellow pine, are being introduced into its markets.

Douglas fir is the world's largest source of plywood, a product declining in usage. And its fortunes are also tied to the unsteady housing industry. "The bulk of (Douglas fir) is used for construction and structural purposes, so activity in construction markets obviously affects Douglas fir," explains Butch Bernhardt of the Western Wood Products Association. He notes that9Vo of 1994 Douglas fir production was cut into studs, 757o other dimension, and I L67o timbers.

Yet Douglas fir continues to be the top species "by far" in the West, accounting for nearly 45Vo of lumber manufactured in the West (combined coastal. inland and California redwood regions) in 1994.

The coastal lumber region produced 7.06 billion bd. ft. of lumber in 1994, including 4.6 billion bd. ft. of Douglas fir. The overall total is forecast to fall to 6.7 billion bd. ft. in 1995 and dip O.3Vo to 6.66 billion bd. ft. in 1996.

Of the 8 billion bd. ft. of lumber produced in the Inland region in 1994, 1.95 billion bd. ft. was Doug firllarch.

Douglas fir is also the leading western export species, continuing to grow. In 1994,2.19 billion bd. ft. of lumber was exported, including 592 million bd. ft. of Douglas fir. In the first eight months of 1995, although overall exports fell 4Vo, Douglas fir exports rose 16.5%o.

Story at a Glance

Douglas fir production leveling out and exports increasing despite setbacks.

The biggest export market for Douglas fir is Japan (57V0 of Douglas fir exports), followed by Canada (20Vo) and Australia (l4Vo). Domestically, Douglas fir is shipped to all regions, although the majority goes to California and other western states. Nearly 84Vo (3.3 billion bd. ft.) of the 3.95 billion bd. ft. of Douglas fir dimension produced in 1994 was green. A small amount of Douglas fir is manufactured into clears and shop lumber, but these products require kiln drying and many facilities don't have kilns, according to Bernhardt.

Defecrc*,, rTrees, Seld a, ncry high,percent age of timber clear oJ knots and other delects'since::bo[es sls slear,ol branches tor about two-thirds of their height.

Mechanical properties High bending slrength, stiffness and crushing :st rernoth ;r modeiets:,,rds.i$tanee r tO , ,Shock,loadS;, $oor sieam,bending rat;: ,ing; timber, fr.om ,P;aGific coastal f6$ions is heavitrf ha:rdei ,and stronger, than ,fiorn mountain area$ anO tne U.t<.

Seasoning The timber dries rapidly and well wilho0t,rnudh!:checking,:oi warp: ing, but knots tend to splt and loosen; stable to small movement in seMcei resin canals tend io bleed and show , as:narrow bioWn :fine$,0n loqgitudmal suilaces.

Working pioperties The soltwood ,Works readlty, th hand:and:machine , tools, bu!:with,erblUnlihg,effaCt,otrrcul' ::ters: whi0h, mUst b6:,kept,,,Sha1p;, ha1d, loose knots can be troublesome; prebore for nailing; screws and glues satisfactorily; stains etfectively and finishes well following preparation; kiln dry matedal,ui*rr htgh:rieSin: cohtent for Varrnshe<t,or nairded, ihterior sur{hoeir, Durability Moderate, yet subject to atlack by pihhole borer, longhom beetle and jewel beetle; resistant to ,,, p,ressivativ€ tr{elmbn!,,,especiatty, ,, : Amolican nrouhtainr$rown timbei.,,

:Usesr: Top .spgcles,rlof :v€n€er: .and:, ptY. wood; also used fot heavy construction workr;,lafiinatod::er0h:eSi :roof trusses, inteiior and sgsrisy joinery, poles, piles; paper pulp, vats and ::, tahks;r docldharboi::Woikrrnaiine,pil', ing, ship building, mining timber, raiF :: :WalfrsleePensi slacksr light cooperage,