Five experts discuss the current ced ar situation

I\EDAR is one softwood with a Vspecific point of supply but universal demand. Here a panel of leading cedar experts from different corners of the country speak out on the current state of the cedar business.

Q: How are current cedar sales?

Mike Carlson, vice president, Loth Lumber, Gold Bar, Wa.: Right now, the export market is good and it looks to continue that way. Domestically, tight knot items have stayed fairly level. I suppose dealers want to keep up their inventories for the spring. Activity for December was fairly strong.

(August), and most mills will tell you that with rising log prices, they'll have to raise their prices. But, frankly, log costs will never determine price. It's all supply and demand. All the mills are going at full production now and, considering shut down and start up costs, they'd rather run and lose money.

Q: Should we expect the steady sales for cedar to continue?

Donny Taylor, general manager, Klumb Forest Products, Mobile, Al.: Western red cedar will always sell real well because of the nature of its properties: its resistance to decay, warping and splitting. It makes it a formidable, viable product in many areas, such as here in Southern Alabama, Southern M ississippi, Southern Louisiana and the Panhandle area of Florida.

Q: What cedar products are currently selling well?

Adkins: The key products now are, first, fencing items with dealers gearing up for spring purchasing. And second, 5-l/4 x 6 deckings, because of the extreme shortage last year.

Story at a Glance

Tom Burdge, sales/marketing, C&D Lumber Co.. Riddle. Or.: Business has been good since last fall. There wasn't the usual October-to-December seasonal decline. And it should be stable over the next six months at least we're hoping it will.

Q: What effect will rising costs have?

Terry Adkins, partner, cedar dept., American International Forest Products, Portland, Or.: Currently the cedar market is flat, with no direction. Prices are down slightly from

U.S. cedar specialists discuss the softwood's special properties. hotitems. current business trends...comparing different species .buying tips.

Carlson: Decking materials have also been very, very strong over here. In fact, there should be shortages again this year. In contrast, common lumber has been slow, but it's probably just the time of year.

Q: Rny other cedar products not particularly hot right now?

February 1988

Michael Bryan, sales manager, Thomas Lumber Co., Cummings, Ga.: In my particular area, cedar siding is not as popular as it has been. In decking, it's more popular, as people seem to be moving away from treated yellow pine. So dimension cedar is up. But demand fluctuates. It's not a trend and certainly not indicative of the South as a whole, just of the Atlanta area right now. Big cities go through cycles. The more traditional brick look is in right now. In the outer areas, it's the more rustic appeal. And in the coastal regions, there are even more wood sidines.

Q: But doesn't distance put cedar at a disadvantage?

Bryan: I disagree. The most common wood in the Southeast right now for construction is spruce from Canada. The only natural product here for siding is cypress, and it's in limited supply and is offensive to use for some. That leaves only redwood and cedar. People used yellow pine when that was all we had; it was clear, center cut, high line pine. But that wood is mostly gone now, so the price would be very high.

Q: ere there major differences between the different species of cedar?

Adkins: The difference is in the different color and knot structure. And they may be graded on different rules.

Taylor: Inland cedar is more expensive, yet it seems to contain more sapwood, making it less resistant to decay and termites. Down here, we have tidewater red cypress and the closer it grows to the shoreline, the redder its color and the greater its salt content. This makes it more resistant because there is less sapwood, which tends to rot. California redwoods withstand rotting similarly. We believe cedar's also the same way.

Q: What should dealers look for in choosing a cedar wholesaler?

Adkins: Experience. My partner and I have been buying lumber for 25 years. We have extensive product knowledge and mill knowledge; the same product from different mills can mean the difference between night and day. We know who prior selects and picks patterns. And we know what regions like what, so we don't quote information to them if we know beforehand they don't want ir.

Premium Quality

Lumber

Half Pak HIL.

NAVA-PAK

Handi-cut/ Home Ctr. Brds.

Half Pak Hf.L. and PI{.

Q: Is there anything to look out for?

Adkins: All cedar - if it's not S4Sis not grade stamped, so wholesalers can play grade games with you if they're lacking integrity or just don't know what they're doing.

Q: What does the future hold for cedar?

Burdge: I think we'll see more and more demand for exterior landscaping due to environmental concerns over treated products.

Bryan: In the rural, resort and mountain areas, wood will always be popular. You can't get that look with hardboard, brick or synthetic materials. It's more than a phase.