What makes Appalachian hardwoods special

llenowooDS, like many other I I forms of life, are products of their environment. Soil, topography, elevation and weather all affect the growth of the trees and the quality of the lumber taken from them.

Appalachia, the mountain area that runs from New York south through Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, North and South Carolina to Georgia, is said to be the finest area in the world for growing hardwoods. The growing season and weather are perfect for producing prime hardwood.

Rich unglaciated soil is unsurpassed for tree development. An optimum amount of rainfall plus topography which allows nearly perfect drainage and an elevation above 1,000 feet complete the ideal conditions.

Appalachian forests have been a source of fine hardwoods since the pioneers cut timber from them for home building, commerce and the development of industry. A second and even a third growth of trees in some cases has renewed the woodlands. More trees grow in the area now than 60 years ago due to responsible forestry practices.

Lumber from the Appalachian region is recognized throughout the world for its consistency of grain and color characteristics in a broad variety of species. Unlike hardwoods grown in other areas, the Appalachian hardwoods are almost always the same in grain pattern and color, making them renowned for their superior quality, utility and economy.

Nearly all hardwood species found in America grow in Appalachia, but a dozen species are prized for commercial use. Red and white oak and poplar, because they grow in great abundance, are most readily available. But ash, basswood, beech, birch, cherry, hickory, hard and soft maple and walnut are also in good supply.

Hardwoods grown in Appalachia are easier to work, according to wood experts. They are more readily machined, turned, shaped or carved. They also sand, polish, stain and hold paint better than most other hardwoods. In addition, they are among the ultimate species in the beauty, integrity and versatility intrinsic in all hardwoods. The nearly perfect environment creates a nearly perfect hardwood.

Another advantage provided by the favorable growing conditions is less brittleness, Appalachian hardwoods, especially those that are the hardest such as hickory, oak and walnut, are less brittle and provide premium wood products.

Hardwood from Appalachia is excellent for building and can be used in both new construction and remodeling. Uses for which the hardwoods are most suitable include structural components, cabinets, flooring, paneling and trim. It can be used in both residences and commercial buildings.

Character marked Appalachian

Story at a Glance

Prime soal, weather, topography, altitude produce best hardwoods for a huge number of products . 12 species star among wide variety . . . lumber produced from Appalachian hardwoods is most consistent in grain and color.

hardwoods are those with natural variations such as bird pecks, wormholes, mineral stains and sound knots. These are less expensive than the more perfect hardwoods and are prized by many for their striking appearance in paneling and cabinetry.

While a portion of the hardwood from Appalachia goes into homes as wood paneling, floors, beamed ceilings, woodwork, cabinetry and builtins, much of it is used by manufacturers. The wood is popular for furniture of all kinds, both fine pieces and the less expensive knockdown or unfinished variety carried by home centers. Dimension parts such as stair treads and risers are manufactured from Appalachian hardwoods. Barrels, kegs, casks, truck bodies, sporting goods, musical instruments, tools and a variety of industrial equipment also utilizes various hardwoods.

The Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc. in High Point, N.C., claims that whatever the product or project, the hardwoods needed are grown in Appalachian forests. They say whether the use is paneling a room, building an office complex, refurbishing a hotel, designing a furniture collection, fabricating kitchen cabinets or manufacturing plant stands, Appalachian hardwoods are wise selections. Appalachian hardwoods, they stress, provide unmatched distinction and utility in countless products and applications.

Just like people, trees perform and produce better in the right environment. All the factors necessary to guarantee prime hardwoods and prime lumber are found in the Appalachian hardwood region which with about l59o of the nation's hardwood forest land area furnishes more than 20s/o of the total hardwood lumber production.

This is recognition of Huqh Bell's dedication and involvement wlth the building suppb industry in the 15 years since he founded Dataline and piqneered the computer revolution in the building supply industry.

Hugh Bell Founder and Chairmanof Dataline

Indicative of .Dataline's leadership is the recent introduction of the Micro zooo to Dataline's familv of computers designed foi the fuil spectrum of the building supply industry.

NThe O'Malley Companies had a grand re-opening of their totally redone Yuma, Az., facility early this mo., Bob Ramsey is the gen. mgr.

Evergreen Pacific Lurnber Sales, Inc. is a new wholesale business in Kirkland, Wa., started by Jim Mathieu Cary Kirscher has opened Global Forest Products in Pleasant Hill. Ca.

Builders Square plans a Nov. opening for their 80,000 sq. ft. retrofit warehouse store in Oxnard, Ca., an ex-Zody's . .

Poy'n Scye has sold its Price Savers Wholesale outlets in Salt Lake City, Ut., Anchorage, Ak., Seattle and Tacoma, Wa., to Kroger Co., Cincinnati,0h. . .

...Ole's Home Centers plans to move corporate offices from Pasadenan Ca., to the Brea., Ca., Hq. of parent co., W. R. Grace...

lndustry reports persist, despite Boise Cascade's reluctance to commgnt, that a leveraged buyout of the retail stores and wholesale div. in San Diego, Ca., is underway . , Handymon will build a new store in Bay Plaza, Imperial Beach, Ca.

Hardware & Nurserv. a new chainformed by Dicli Hallet, former pres. of Build & Crow, lrvine, Ca., is constructing its first store in Rancho Penasquitos, Ca.

Build & Grow has sold one of its two lrvine, Ca., stores ...

Coast Lwnber Yard, Brandon, Or., held a grand reopening with new owners, Phelps and Beatrice Elbon . Ttue Value Hardware store, Independence, Or., has been purchased by Don and Lyn Watson

Cooley Hardwsre, San Bernardino, Ca., has closed after I l0 years.

14/itco Chetnicul Corp. will change its name to Witc'o Corp. in Oct.; its Richardson Graphics Co. unit has been sold to ltnperful Metal & Chemical Co.. Philadelphia, Pa.

Allied Builders Supply Co., Challis, ld., had $75,000-$90,000 in damages lo storage sheds and their contents in a recent flre believed to be caused by an electrical short .

Intperial Stores has a 30,000 sq. ft. "super home center" under construction in El Centro, Ca., for a Jan. '86, opening date . .

Hunwn's Tiue Value Hardware, which occupied a l0l year old building in Jefferson, Or., was destroyed by fire recently; an adjoining warehouse was saved

Perozzi Hardware C<.r., Lompoc, Ca., has closed with the retirement of owner Bill Perozzi Stembridge Hardware and George's Home Center, both San Bernardino. Ca.. have closed .

Hatch Inc., a Portland, Or., building supplies co., in Chapter l1 bankruptcy since Feb. 1984, has conditionalconfirmation of a reorganization plan .

Pat'iJi<' Lutnber and Hardware store's owner Charles Powers has been denied San Rafael, Ca., planning commission permission to install a 70 ft. flagpole outside his Terra Linda business ,

The Tbrry Componies, Tarzana, Ca., have acquired the LouisianqPacific yards at Ventura and Camarillo, Ca.; Terry will continue sales and distribution from them, no price was announced in the sale.

J.I{. Blevins Sawtnills. Inc.. Napa, Ca., has purchased the lbrmer Hopland liorest Products facility in Hopland, Ca., from Roger Burch, Rerlw'ood Entpire, Inc., Morgan Hill, Ca.

J. H. Baxter & Co., San Mateo, Ca., has been licensedby Mineral Resectrch and Developtnent Corp., Charlotte, N.C., to pressure treat forest products with D-Blaze fire retardant.

G. J. Indusrrles, Chatsworth, Ca., parent co. of Commodore Products, has acquired Beauty Craft Tile of the Southwesl, Inc., Oklahoma City, Ok. .

VSI Hardware's management has purchased the Sylmar, Ca., mfr. from the parent co., Fairchild Industries, Chantilly, Va. Genslar RooJ'ing Products Co. has changed the name of the Bird & Son roofing mfg. plant in Wilmington, Ca., to Genstor Roofing ProductsCo....

The Environnrcntal Protection Agency's proposed ban on over the counter sales of some wood preservatives has been postponed until late1986...

Pocific Hqrdware & Specialties, Inc. Tacoma, 'Wa., has opened an office in the Portland, Or., area...

Harrlwood lumber oroduction figures released in Sept.'were down 2Vo compared to a year ago with orders l79o higher and shipments up 690 . . Canadian lumber imported during the first half of the year rose to a record breaking7.27 billion BF.

Housing starts for August (latest figs.) made their best gain in five months with a 6.2V0 increase the seasonally adjusted rate of 1.75 billion units was the biggest increase since a 14.7V0 jump in March . . single family construction was up l9o to a 1,073,000 unit rate; multis advanced 15.6Vo to an annual rate of 676,W units permits were up 3.590 with the west showing healthy increases in both permits and starts .

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