Southern pine supports trusses

. r r except in the West

I\TEARLY 60Vo of the lumber used I \ to make trusses is southern pine, primarily No. 2 grade, then No. 3 grade and No. 1 grade, according to a new study of wood truss manufacturers conducted by the Southern Pine Council in cooperation with the Wood Truss Council of America.

For the survey, the nation was divided into four census regions with 232 companies randomly selected, representing 280 wood truss manufacturing sites (l9%o of all such sites). Their responses were then projected regionally, resulting in an estimate that truss manufacturers consumed 5.942 billion bd. ft. of lumber in 1994, including 3.509 billion bd. ft. of southern pine.

Market share for southern pine was 98Vo in the South, 42Vo in the North Central, 45Vo in the Northeast and 3Vo in the West. Most of the southern pine used in the West was in states near the traditional southern pine producing region (Colorado, New

Mexico and Arizona), with very little elsewhere in the region.

Westem SPF had the second highest overall market share, but reported volumes reached less than half of those reported for southern pine. Douglas fir-larch, once the dominant species for structural applications, now has a market share of 107o.

Although results indicate truss manufacturers generally do not target particular species for certain truss components, southern pine tends to be used more for chords, while SPF finds more web applications.

The single largest market for trusses is residential construction, which consumed approximately 3.8 billion bd. ft. of lumber in trusses in 1994 (64Vo of the total truss lumber volume) or 2,598 bd. ft. per new residential housing start.

The highest volume of nonresidential truss markets is found in the South, which typically has one of the most active nonresidential construc- tion markets.

As a group, 74Vo of truss manufacturers see single family residential as the truss market with the greatest potential for future growth. Excellent growth opportunities are also forecast by 64Vo of the respondents for multifamily residential construction and by 4OVo for new non-residential construction. The truss industry is predicted to grow 7 .1Vo over the next five years.

Overall, respondents indicate that more uniformly dried material would increase their usage of southern pine more than any other factor. And, if wood truss manufacturers aren't getting their needs met by southern pine

Story at a Glance

New study reveals southern pine is top species for trusses, but some manufacturers may switch to SPF ... little SYP penetration into West.

Iumber producers, many warn they will begin substituting Canadian SPF.

- The 50-page " 1995 Study of Wood Truss Manufacturers" is $10 from the Southern Forest Products Association, P.O. Box 641700, Kenner, La. 70064; (504) 443-4464.

Why Western Truss Manufaet.U.fef*,,,,,Aren't Using Southern Pine

Washington,, "It is too tough to switch now. Southern pine is being pushed by one broker up n":",*

;ome are looki"* * tt;.''.'......,,,.,.,.,

Washington "southern::rplne rs not cost comnetitive';'l..""'l':".....:.lli.i"::'l

Washington t,i,ilxi,,,i5,t,,ulp.re difti-

So.utf iUffi ,pine ff ndffaffi rl:Iff t{o:vt e stem trust,:,fiaike ls lie$. been::irr?inlrnElj,:t:,t,t,fr.,uss m!'aiiufacturers,.*o'tn" would love::to see it start to come up North:at reasonable prices, because :f,:::really lover:r::ffie values associated:with it." ' 'ii

Washington "I wish southern pine would come up North more readily."

Montana "The cost is,a problem andr::$p in Montanai::if:,is tough

'..'...,.!o

,:::r::Washington "I have used it onCEr:,in: 2L) years and it was really great;'but,,,southern pine is just too far away.il:::: ::::

Csl:t:fothiC .irl. don't really *nO*"6nything a$out southern g"t'1i... i;Siile."

:,.,.,,,,,fUAtU, fiSgg.1hgp ping.:.:l$:.iit6o: ..i.:f#.iwat.i...thE.. pingi.coitll1ill,loo ' high."

Washington lfl have nei'er SCen..iti:i..: ':.::,, :'....,' .'.. i '... .:

DECOMING perhaps the first forIJest products association in cyberspace, the Southern Pine Council has introduced a home page on the Internet for treated southern pine lumber products.

Retailers, builders, architects, engineers and consumers now have an online information port to access details and directions about designing and building decks, gazebos, fences, bridges, wood foundations, marine projects or virtually any outdoor structure.

Initial interest in creating a web site was member-driven. "It all started at a treated products subcommittee meeting last April," said Jeff Easterling, treated markets manager, Southern Forest Products Association.

Story at a Glance

New World Wide Web site for treated southern pine lumber products ... lnternet users can ask questions, offer comments or order literature.