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INTAND TUMBXR COMPANY
A few days before Christmas this year, this speciel Douglas Fir tree from the state of oregon will be dedicated to world Deace by President Eisenhower as the nation's ofiicial tree. Above the "perfect" Yule tree is pointed out by Carl Raynor, a timberlands manager for GeorSia-Pacific Corporation, to fellow forester George Bradshaw and oregon State torester Don Maus.
years ag:o to gain the honor during 1959, Oregon's Centennial year. Previous commitments, however, made the state of Montanra the choice for 1959.
fn order to prevent vandalism and souvenir hunting, the exact location of the tree is being carefully guarded by Georgia-Pacific and state foresters.
Bert Adqms Heods Club I 17 This Term
A complete list of the 1960-61 o6cers has been received from Inland Empire Hoo-Hoo Club 117. Heading the slate this term is Dealer Bert Adams of the Adams Lumber Co., San Bernardino. as president.
Other ofrcers are: Vice-President, Jerry lVestphal, Inland Building Materials Co.; Secretary, Bod lilllson, Big Ben Sash & Door; Treasurer, Scott McIntJ[e, Rialto Lumber Co.; Directors--4ilenn McConnell, Apple Valley Lumber Co.; Terry Ware, Corona Lumber Co., and Hanley Hart, Inland Lumber Co. The past president, Gordon Greenslade, was appointed Vicegerent Snark.
Slump in Housing Storts Felr
In Western Pine lumber Shipmenfs
Portland-The following report for third quarter, 1960, production and shipments of Western Pine region lumber products and estimate of probable fourth quarter, 1960, shipments was issued by W. E. Griffee, secretary-manager of the Western Pine Association:
"The third quarter saw the sharpest year-to-year drop in both production and shipments that the Western Pine industry has experienced in a long: while. At the same time, stocks reached close to a record level.
"Preliminary estimates place third-quarter production at 229O
RAIL or bY TRuctr qad
Douglas Fir White Fir Redwood
Sugor
Red Cedor Shingfes Royal Ook Flooring
million board feet, 75.7/a below the third quarter of last year. Production of 6754 million feet in the first nine months was down only 5.8o/o from the same record period in 1959.
"Third-quarter shipments of 2113 million feet were ofr \7.57o from a year ag'o. Nine months' shipments of 6460 million were down 10.2/p and were nearly 300 million feet under the output during the same period.
"Stocks are estimated at about 2110 million feet compared with 1689 million at the end of September 19b9.
"The predicted faJl upturn in housing has been slow in materializing. August housing starts were 8c/o above those in a very disappointing July, but both flgures, if we aJlow for the number of working days in each month, were close to the trend of the last several months when starts were lagging 18 or [g/o below a year ago.
"Shipments of lumber from the Western pine region really held up very well, in view of the housing slump, until the last couple of months. Then shipments of factory grades fell off very sharply. Much of this drop was due to stock-reduction programs of millwork manufacturers and distributors.
"The use of lumber for wooden boxes by factories in Califomia and southern Oregon is one of the brighter spots in the picture, even though there has been a drop of 6 ot 8Vo from a year ago. ff anything, the shook demand seems to be better than it was earlier in the year.
"The demand for lumber this fall will depend partly upon general business developments but the outlook is more encouraging than it was several months ago. Retail yard stocks are low, the millwork industry has at least partially liquidated its inventories, and a modest upturn in housing starts is being predicted.
"Based upon the above factors and all other available information upon prospective demand, it seems probable that, during the fourth quarter of 1960, shipments (consumption) of lumber from the Western Pine region will approximate 180 million feet, or about 75/6 below those of the fourth quarter of 1959.
"This report covers a^ll eleven of the species produced in the Western Pine region. The pines account for about half the regional output."
FOREST PRODUCTS WEEK USHERS IN FINGERJOINT IUMBER, II]LESTONE
Portland-A lumber product milestone was passed-by coincidence on the country's first National Forest Products \ileek-as finger-jointed framing lumber received oficial recognition by FHA the week of October 16.
The govornment agency lssued a matorlals releoso on lts use as vertlcal structural members, or studs, on FHA-insured proiects.
Finger-jointing provides a mearx to manufacture lumber to any desired lengths, according'to Carl A. Rasmussen, director of the Western Pine Association research laboratory which spearheaded the efrort to gain official recognition for the product. Its development has been carried on by numerous Sroups and companies, and it has been used in light construction for some time.
The process involves the machining of fingerlike tenons into the ends of lumber pieces. These mesh as short lengths are fitted together, and large surface areas are brought into contact with wood-welding glues.
F inger-jointed studs are as strong as non-jointed lumber with comparable characteristics normally found in stud material.
The FHA materials release covers the use of 2x4 and 2x6 lumber used primarily as studding up to 10 feet in length, but also for headers, floor plates and trimmers. Official Western Pine Association grading rules for framing lumber apply, and the 11 Western Pine region species are included.
The Western Pine Association laboratory is to be an authorized testing agency to assure quality control in the product maiufacture.
He said the federal agency action should create expanded markets and production of finger-jointed structural products. This, in turn, will allow more complete utilization of raw material available to the sawmills.
"It also will contrlbute to the stabiltty of tho lumber lndustry economyr" ho sald. "And. moro cut-to-length framlng lumber wlll be readlly a,vallable to the module-consclous houslng lndustry."
F inger-jointing is already a common practice in wood mouldings, and is utilized in the manufacture of "wideboard" and other products. Its use means lumber can be manufactured to any length or width, with restrictions set only by the size of equipment.
Rasmussen pointed to a growing impact of research on the lumber industry, of which the glued-lumber products are prime examples.
"Glue has given us a means to panelize or lengthen lumber in many ways. A primary example is sheet-board, which consists of standard boards laid side by side and bonded by heat, pressure and powerful glue between layers of strong kraft paper. The result is a panel of boards possessing remarkable rigidity. It is now being manufactured by six Western Pine region sawmills, and is finding growing acceptance on the market as sub-flooring and roof and wall sheathing."
The lumberman said developments now underway will continue to enhance lumber's natural properties, and bring them into play in ways to make lumber more useful than ever.
"Progr€as ln modern electronlcs has us on the vorge of several major brea,kthroughs ln lumber sciencer" Rasmussen declared. "Wood-ohemlstry has also advonced to the point where we ero almost roady for some revolutlonary developments."
Most efforts, he said, are directed toward making fuller use of wood in its existing fibre form, rather thanr breaking it down or reshaping its basic formations.
Western Pine association researchers have been working: for several years on "sophisticated" lumber equipment such as electronic guided machines that take knotty or lower grade boards in one end, while small pieces of perfectly clear and unblemished lumber comes out the other. These can be end and edge-glued into handsome clear lumber panels of various lengths and widths.
Until recent years most of the group's research efrofts were on such less glamorous projects as brown stain control, lumber seasoning, utilization studies, knot sealers and preservatives.
One of the lab's developments which has had long-lasting and far-reaching returns was the introduction of pentachlorophenol as a preservative for wood windows. The colorless, odorless treatment has a virtually unblemished record of performance over the quarter century since it was first put to use. Almost every major wood window manufacturer today uses the process.
