Redwood & answer queslion

Q: How will the CRA respond to the guarantees, et cetera, of pressure treated wood?

A: Response in the sense I think you mean may not be called for. Pressure treated wood and the garden grades of redwood are two very different products, in spite of the fact that there are areas where they compete with each other. Pressure-tre- Keith Lannine ateJ'tumU"iC pri_ mary characteristic is durability. It's used for permanent wood foundations, docks and pilingsareas where a guarantee is necessary. Redwood's primary characteristic is its quality appearance. It looks good when it's new and it keeps its quality appearance because it is less likely to check, twist and warp than other species.

A secondary quality is the durability it possesses by virtue of the natural extractives present in the heartwood. These decay resistant chemicals are provided by nature. It would be difficult to guarantee a specified level of decay resistance, but redwood does provide more decay resistance than other untreated woods and it doesn't require special handling or disposal practices.

Q: Have recent price increases made redwood less competitive with cedar and pressure treated wood?

A: The price of redwood products reflects the demand. Prices on products such as construction heart and construction common grades are staying quite strong as a result ofthe extremely healthy deck and outdoor living markets. There are other areas where redwood represents an incredible value when compared grade for grade with the competition. I'm thinking of B grade redwood and some of the knotty redwood sidings that are available. Redwood definitely offers more for the dollar than cedar. cluding product research, market development and the promotion of redwood to the end users.

Q: Is there any truth to the rumors that there is a redwood shortage?

A: No, not in the sense that the redwood supply is declining. The supply of redwood has increased steadily for over five years. If there is any sense of the shortage, it is because there is a strong end-user demand for redwood products. The supply will remain consistent at about 1.1 or 7.2 billion board feet per year.

Story at a Glance

Galifornia Redwood Association executive Keith Lanning answers some tough questions: why you can't compare redwood and pressure treated wood. .. price increases. redwood shortages...

There's a story on the quality control side of the business as well. The Redwood Inspection Service is now responsible for grading more than 900/o of the redwood lumber manufactured. Founded in 1923, the RIS is the official rules writing agency for redwood and has one of the best reputations in the business. This will translate into better quality and more consistent grading which should be greatly appreciated by the retailer.

Q: Will any special point of purchase displays be developed?

A: Yes. We are creating a counter top display to promote the Popular SciencelCRA deck contest. This will provide basic information about the contest and entry forms. Using this display, merchants can tie-in and hold parallel events, such as their own deck contests or building and design clinics. There's a great op- portunity here.

Q: Will the CRA develop seminars or clinics to be given in conjunction with dealers?

Q: How will the reorganization of the CRA help the retailer?

A: I think the most immediate advantage comes from the unity of the manufacturers. Sure, they're competing with each other on a daily basis, but they are getting together on some of the larger questions, in-

A: From time to time, we conduct seminars and educational programs. We've worked with lumber dealers' associations in different parts of the country. These programs are generally geared toward professionalsarchitects, builders, lumber buyers or retail salesmen. Of course,- we hope that these people will then transmit their knowledge to their clients and customers.

BE0W000 structural grades ofler builders an alternative to pressure treated lumber for deck understructures.

I ONG recognized as one of the most beautiful L woods, redwood is now gaining a reputation for its muscle.

A durable, all heartwood grade and a grade for above ground use that contains a combination of heartwood and sapwood are being manufactured by the Pacific Lumber Co. at its sawmills in Fortuna, Ca. "These new structural grades provide strength values not commonly found in redwood and beauty not matched by other structural species," says C. W. "Bill" Stevens, general sales manager.

No. 2 structural heart and No. 2 structural redwood are graded for strength, unlike the general purpose redwood grades construction heart and construction common. Targeting the deck and outdoor living markets, Palco is producing and shipping 2x8, 2xl0 and 2xl2 intended for use as joists, stringers, beams and ledgers.

"Redwood requires no special handling or methods of disposal, unlike pressure treated lumber, its major competition in the deck market," says Stevens. "Redwood also holds finishes better and is easier to work with because it is virtually free from pitch and resins," he added.

The strength specifications for No. 2 structural heart and No. 2 structural redwood are included in the National Grades established by the American Lumber Standards Committee. Palco is combining these strength standards with the appearance standards established in the redwood industry. As a result, the structural grades are strong enough for load bearing application, yet have the quality appearance typical of construction heart and construction common redwood which are graded on their appearance.