Douglas fir plays defense

nOUGLAS fir is not taking the .l-fopposition 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 that 9% of 1994 Douglas fir production was cut into studs, 7570 other dimension, and 11.6% 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 redwoodregions) 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 l6.5Vo.

Story at a Glance

Douglas fir production level' ing out and exPorts increasing despite setbacks.

The biggest export market for Douglas fir is Japan (57Vo 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.

Doug las. ..Fi.f :.:.Pffi.lle

Other:,:h4fiCs:,,,,British,,,0o[urnb'ia,:pine, ,..cdnhbi*.ilne, 0iegon..nihdt,, :'

Sourcesr Btitish r0olurnbia, Washihgton :, ,and,,Orergorn, throug,h :Wy.orn|n$, to: southerh New, ME*co and w€st lo lhe: Pacilic Coast; also planted in the United l(in$dom, New Zealandrand. Australia.

Avera$e lree site: In G,anada and America, trees average 3 to 6 lt. in diameter and 150 t0 ZOO tt. in treigfrt but will reach 300 ft.

Appearance Light reddishbrown heartwood; prominent growth ring ligure with abrupt color conlrast on plainsawn surfaces or rotary cut veneers; typibalfy strai$htlgrain€d: but some' times:,withrwavy 0r sbiral grain; unii form medium texture.

Defects Trees yield a very high percent' age ol timber clear of knots and other delects since boles are clear of branches for about two-thirds of their treight.

Mechanical properties High bending strength, stiffness and crushing strength; moderate resistance to shock-loads; poor sleam bending rat' ing; timber from Pacific coastal regions is heavier, harder and stronger than from mountain areaS and lhe U.K.

Seasoning The timber dries rapidly and well without much checking or warp' ing, but knols tend to split and loosen; slable lo small movement in service; resin canals tend to bleed and show as narrow brown lines on longitudinal surlaces,

Working properties The soltwood workJ r6adily with hand and machine tooL, but with a blunting effect on cul' ters which must be kept sharp; hard, loose knols can be troublesome; pre' bore lor nailing; screws and glues sat' isfactorily; stains elfectively and fin' ishes well lollowing preparation; kiln dry material with high resin conlent for varnished or painted interior surfaces.

Durabitity Moderate, yet subiect to atlac{t by pinhole borer, longhom beetle and jewel beetle; resistant to preservative tleatmBnt, especially American mountain-grown timber.

Uses Top species for veneer and ply' wood; also used for heavY construe tion work, laminated arches, roof trusses, interior and exterior loinery, poles, piles, PaPer PulP, vats and tanks; docUharbor work, marine Pil' ing, ship building, mining limber, nail' way sleepers, slacks, tight cooperage,