What is Lumber?

Finished Cut 2x4
Lumber is wood in any stage from the time it is cut from a tree through its use in construction or paper. 

Lumber is cut from a tree through a process called felling. After it is cut and shipped, it is supplied either "rough" or "finished".
 
Finished lumber is cut to standard sizes, (2x4, 2x6, etc) and is primarily used in the construction industry. Most finished lumber is cut from softwood trees such as pine, fir, or cedar. Some rough lumber includes hardwoods for use in high-grade wood floors.

Rough lumber is raw and uncut to standardized measurements. It is used for furniture or specialty manufacturing where custom cutting and shaping is required. Usually rough lumber is cut from trees such as oak, and may be available in a variety of sizes for shipping. In many instances, rough lumber will also have the bark still attached.
 

Lumber Fact!

Posted by Lumberjack on August 17, 2010

The term "timber" is used in the United Kingdom to refer to the cut and processed boards, while in America, "timber" refers to the uncut trees standing in a forest?

Lumber Fact!

Posted by Lumberjack on August 2, 2010
A chinese dragon

"Timber!" is also a phrase used when lumberjacks cut down a tree to warn any bystanders that it is about to fall, or is already falling. 

Lumber Fact!

Posted by Lumberjack on July 25, 2010

The measurements used in lumber, such as 2x4 are not precise measurements.  The measurements refer to the rough cut, not finished cut, board.  So a 2x4 purchased at a home improvement store actually measures 1.5" x 3.5".  Watch your measurements!

Paper Everywhere!

Random foliage

Nearly four billion trees are cut down throughout the world each year to create paper.  This comprises about 35% of all harvested trees.

Each person in the United States uses about 749 pounds of paper per year.

For more information about paper consumption and alternate sources, please read this article from Ecology.Com - Paper Chase.

 

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