Volume 1, Issue 1 Winter 2002 

Little Building at Winter Olympics 

Shows Big Promise 

ON OCTOBER 30, 2001, an unusual ceremony was held 

just outside Ogden, Utah. It was unusual because the star 

of the show was a small wooden structure. Among those 

in attendance were USDA Deputy Under Secretary for 

Natural Resources and Environment David Tenny and 

Forest Service Associate Chief Sally Collins.

You might think this sounds like a lot of excitement over 

a little wooden building. But according to Susan LeVan, 

Program Manager for FPL’s Technology Marketing Unit 

(TMU), this little building 

represents one small portion 

of a larger mission

to improve forest health, 

provide jobs for rural communities, and save money 

for the American taxpayer. 

“More than 73 million acres 

of our National Forests need 

some sort of thinning treatment to reduce hazardous 

fuels and restore them to a 

healthy condition,” says 

LeVan. “But such restoration is expensive; thinning 

typically costs from $300 to $500 an acre. If we can find 

high value uses for this thinned material, everyone wins. 

Forest management costs can be offset, jobs can be 

created, and forest health is improved.” 

The concept is fairly simple. To improve forest management economics, “We need to use timber for its 

highest possible use,” explains LeVan. 

The TMU works with rural communities and a variety of 

partners, such as utilization and marketing specialists, the 

forest products industry, state foresters, and universities, 

to put into use technologies developed by FPL and other 

USDA Forest Service research units. 

In This Issue 

! FPL at 

Winter 

Olympics 

! FPL’s New 

Director 

! Building a 

Better Home

Also Inside 

! Ask FPL 

! New and Notable 

Publications 

! On the Calendar 

Plans are

in progress

for working with

 rural communities on

other small-diameter

roundwood structures, including

a Forest Service 

museum in Missoula, 

Montana; a library in 

Darby, Montana; and 

a storage shed on the 

Wallowa–Whitman 

National Forest. 

(continued on page 3) 
“I am 

particularly

excited

about 

returning to 

FPL...” 

FPL’s New Director 

CHRIS RISBRUDT 

is the new director 

at FPL. He previously held a number of 

key jobs in the 

agency’s national 

headquarters and 

throughout the 

Forest Service including Director of 

Strategic Planning and Resource Assessment Staff; Director of Ecosystem Management Coordination; Deputy Regional 

Forester for the Northern Region; and 

Director of Policy Analysis. In addition, 

from February through April 2001, he 

was detailed to USDA’s Office of the 

Under Secretary for Natural Resources 

and Environment to help with the transition for the new Administration. 

But his first job with the Forest 

Service was as an economist at FPL. 

“I am particularly excited about returning to FPL,” said Risbrudt. “The Lab 

has a long history of innovation in 

wood products and uses, and I am proud 

to become a part of that again. 

Risbrudt earned a bachelor’s degree in 1972 

from the University of Minnesota and 

master’s and doctorate degrees from Michigan State University in 1976 and 1979, respectively. He is a member of the Society 

of American Foresters, Trout Unlimited, 

Ducks Unlimited, and the Rocky Mountain 

Elk Foundation. #

Wood You Believe... 

! that chewing on sassafras 

twigs stimulates saliva 

production? 

(A good tip for thirsty hikers!) 

! that oil extracted from yellow 

birch bark contains a chemical 

for treating rheumatism? 

! that chopsticks are often made 

from aspen wood? 

NewsLine Team: Gordie Blum, Jim Anderson, Sue Paulson, Judy Patenaude, 

Sandy Morgan, Rebecca Hoene 

Contributors (Winter 2002): Jean Livingston, Karen Berton, JoAnn Benisch, Noreen Esser

Published quarterly by USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53705-2398. 

Articles may be reprinted provided credit is given to the Forest Products Laboratory and NewsLine. To receive this newsletter 

electronically or to be removed from our mailing list, write Public Affairs Director Gordon Blum at the address above or at 

gblum@fs.fed.us or call Forest Products Laboratory at 608-231-9200. 

Check out our website at www.fpl.fs.fed.us 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 

national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases 

apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, 

large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider and employer. 

Mention of commercial services, products, and firms is for information purposes only and should not be construed as U.S. 

Department of Agriculture Forest Service endorsement over other products, services, or firms that may be suitable. 

2 

Winter 2002 
3 

Winter 2002 

Little Building (continued from page 1) 

LeVan adds that using small-diameter timber 

in buildings is only one example of a 

higher value use. Her unit specializes in 

many others, such as flooring, furniture, 

and millwork, depending on the needs of 

the community and the available resources. 

The little building at the Olympics—actually 

there are two—represents some of that 

work. For the past year, TMU has been 

working with the 2002 Forest Service Olympic Planning Committee to coordinate construction of two small-diameter (typically 

4 to 12 inches) roundwood structures to 

be used as information kiosks during the 

Olympics. Each kiosk is about 25 feet in 

diameter, and the average diameter of 

the round timbers in the roof trusses is 

5 inches. 

Wallowa Resources and Bronson Log Homes

of Enterprise, Oregon, collaborated in building one kiosk, which is located near the 

Olympic biathlon and cross-country skiing 

events. 

The second kiosk was built in collaboration 

with the Bitterroot Resource Conservation 

and Development Council and Porterbilt 

Post & Pole of Hamilton, Montana. Located 

at the mouth of Ogden Canyon, this kiosk 

will serve as a permanent information center 

for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail System, 

the Ogden River Scenic Byway, and other 

recreation activities on the 

Wasatch–Cache National 

Forest.

In addition to providing a 

warm spot on a cold day,

these kiosks contain displays that highlight the 

stewardship efforts of the 

sponsoring communities 

and describe the smalldiameter technology 

used to create them. 

“These kiosks represent the continuing 

commitment of FPL to work with rural 

communities. We enjoy rolling up our 

sleeves to get results. Because of this, we’ve 

been able to develop some very rewarding 

long-term relationships,” says LeVan. 

For more information, check out the TMU 

website: www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu or 

call Mark Knaebe at 608-231-9422. #

FPL’s Technology 

Marketing Unit (TMU) 

works with rural 

communities to develop uses for smalldiameter timber cut 

during fuel reduction 

projects such as 

this one near 

Enterprise, Oregon.

A bucking saw 

cuts a smalldiameter log 

into usable length. 

Trimmed logs in 

 Montana stacked and 

ready for use or 

further processing. 
Improving America’s Housing 

LAST YEAR, more than 1.5 million 

single-family housing starts were recorded in the United States. Considering that 

90 percent of America’s housing is built 

from wood, using 20 billion board feet 

of lumber, proper management of this 

natural resource is essential. 

Since 1910, the Forest Products Laboratory has sought to promote the efficient and wise use of wood through research. “Our mission is to conserve the 

forest resource by promoting healthy 

forests and forest-based economies 

through sustainable use,” says FPL 

Assistant Director Mike Ritter. 

A national program called the Partnership for Advanced Technology in 

Housing (PATH) combines the efforts 

of 13 Federal agencies—including the 

USDA Forest Service—and more than 

300 industry partners in seeking to 

accelerate the widespread development 

and use of advanced housing technology. As a part of PATH, FPL is a lead 

agency for wood-frame housing, 

through its Advanced Housing Research 

Center. 

“The Center incorporates many FPL research units towards a common goal—

improving the affordability, durability, 

and energy efficiency of America’s 

housing,” said Ritter. 

He added, “Research at the Center 

evaluates technology for all types of 

residential structures in which wood or 

wood-based products are used as building components.” Emphasis is placed 

on improving 

! use of traditional wood products, 

! use of recycled and engineered 

wood composite materials, 

! energy and sound efficiency, 

! indoor living environments, and 

! natural disaster resistance. 

“FPL has long been recognized as a 

world leader in wood-frame housing 

technologies. With our expertise and 

the help of many partners, we can help 

solve some of today’s tougher housing 

problems, like moisture intrusion and 

durability,” said Ritter. 

Research 

Demonstration 

House 

Other Center projects include the 

following: 

! Using recycled lumberAbout 

250 million board feet of lumber 

is available for reuse from vacant military buildings and more than 200,000 

housing units that are demolished 

each year in the United States. However, acceptance of this reclaimed 

lumber for reuse is hampered by the 

lack of grading rules, engineering 

property data, and grade stamps. 

Results from this research will develop reuse options that will help increase the use and market value of 

recycled lumber in today’s construction industry and reduce the amount 

of wood waste in our nation’s landfills. 

! Underutilized woodsIn the western 

United States, there are many stands 

4 

Winter 2002 
of small-diameter, densely stocked 

trees. Such stands need to be thinned 

to improve forest health and reduce 

the risk of catastrophic wildfire. One 

prevalent species in these stands is 

ponderosa pine. FPL research will 

evaluate the engineering properties of 

glue-laminated (glulam) beams made 

with mechanically graded ponderosa 

pine. Trade associations will use these 

results to verify design values and develop standards, enabling the use of 

ponderosa pine in value-added 

structural products. 

! Wood–plastic lumber durability 

Estimates are that the use of 

wood–plastic building products will 

increase 50 percent each year for the 

next 5 years. These composites have 

environmental advantages, such as 

diverting wood and plastic from 

waste streams and continuous recycling of the scrap produced during 

processing and installation. Further 

research is needed to improve processing and better understand how 

additives improve durability and 

protect against fungal attack. #

FPL’s Research Demonstration House 

FOR THE past year, FPL’s Advanced Housing Research 

Center has worked with APA–The Engineered Wood 

Association and the Southern Forest Products Association to build a 2,200-square-foot house on FPL 

grounds in Madison, Wisconsin. The purpose of the house is to educate builders and consumers about 

better building practices and to showcase numerous ways to improve the affordability, durability, and 

energy efficiency of our nation’s housing. 

Many products developed at least in part by FPL, such as I-joists, glue-laminated beams, and finger-jointed 

studs (many of which are used in home construction today), are on display in the home. 

A new product being field-tested on the house is shingles made from recycled plastic milk jugs, sawdust, 

and waste from other natural fibers. Other innovative products on display are low-emission paints and 

stains; high R-value insulation made from shredded newspapers; carpeting made from recycled materials; 

energy-efficient windows, doors, appliances, and light fixtures; and water-conserving plumbing 

fixtures. 

Through a partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the house will also feature 

the latest theories and ideas in landscape design and options for water conservation and recovery. 

More than 1,000 people have already toured the house, including builders, wood association members, electricians, plumbers, trade school students, and consumers. The house is currently closed while research 

equipment is being installed but soon will be open again. For more information, visit the Center website 

at www.fpl.fs.fed.us/ahrc. #

From left to right: composite 

roof shingles, a permanent 

wood foundation, and insulation made with shredded 

newspapers. 

5 

Winter 2002
Questions? 

Contact us 

at 

Forest Products 

Laboratory, 

One 

Gifford Pinchot 

Drive, 

Madison, WI 

53705-2398 

or write 

mailroom_ 

forest_products_ 

laboratory 

@fs.fed.us 

We can also 

be reached 

by telephone 

at 

608-231-9200 

TDD 608-231-9544 

FAX 608-231-9592 

EACH ISSUE of NewsLine will feature 

some frequently asked questions. Remember, our website (www.fpl.fs.fed.us) is a good 

source of information for wood-related 

questions. 

Recently, we’ve been asked... 

What kind of finish should I use 

for my butcher block? 

Wooden utensils used for food service need 

a finish that repels liquids and resists abrasion, acids, and stains. Some good finishing 

options include the following: 

! Drying oils—These finishes include 

linseed, tung, and diluted varnish and are 

considered one of the most satisfactory 

finishes for wood surfaces. Drying oils are 

simple to apply, and worn areas can be 

easily patched. 

! Nondrying oils—These finishes 

include both vegetable and mineral oils. 

These natural nondrying oils are applied 

heavily and should be allowed to dry for 

several weeks before use. 

! Paraffin wax—This simple finishing 

method involves applying melted wax 

to the wood surface. 

Whatever finish you choose for your butcher 

block, make sure it is safe and nontoxic. Safe 

finishes will be recommended for use with 

food or described as food grade. 

For more information on this subject, visit our

website and click on FAQs. 

What precautions should I take when 

using treated wood? 

Keep these tips in mind when using treated 

wood: 

! Dispose of treated wood by ordinary trash 

collection or burial. Treated wood should 

not be burned in open fires, fireplaces, or 

wood stoves because toxic chemicals may 

be produced as part of the smoke and 

ashes. 

Ask FPL 

! Avoid frequent or prolonged skin contact 

with treated wood and inhalation of sawdust from treated wood. 

! After working with treated wood, wash 

exposed areas thoroughly and wash work 

clothes separately from other clothing. 

! Do not use treated wood where it will 

come in contact with food or drinking 

water for people or animals. 

For more information on precautions for specific types of treated wood, visit our website. 

Click on the Wood Handbook located in 

Notable Publications and look at Chapter 14, 

pages 3–4.

What precautions should I take to avoid 

cracked wood flooring in my new home? 

Observing the following practices will greatly 

reduce the risk of cracking: 

! Be sure your flooring is manufactured according to wood flooring association rules 

and sold by a dealer that protects it properly during storage and delivery. 

! Install the heating plant before the flooring 

is delivered. 

! Break open flooring bundles to expose all 

sides of flooring to the atmosphere inside 

the house. Close up the house at night and 

during damp weather, and supply some 

heat if necessary. 

For more tips, visit our website. Click on the 

Wood Handbook located in Notable Publications and look at Chapter 12, page 19. #

 

6 

 Winter 2002 
New and Notable 

Evolution of standardized procedures for adjusting lumber properties 

for change in moisture content. 

Green, David W.; and Evans, James W. 

FPL–GTR–127. 

(www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr127.pdf) 

Documents the development of procedures in American Society for Testing 

and Materials standards for adjusting the allowable properties of lumber for 

changes in moisture content. The report discusses the historical context of 

efforts to establish allowable properties on a consensus basis, beginning in 

the 19th century. Its goal is to foster a better understanding of how current 

standards have evolved and to promote reconciliation of conflicting property assignment procedures between current standards. 

Formation and properties of juvenile wood in southern pines: 

a synopsis. 

Larson, Philip R.; Kretschmann, David E.; Clark, Alexander III; 

Isebrands, J.G. 

FPL–GTR–129. 

(www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr129.pdf) 

To satisfy the increasing demand for forest products, much of the future 

timber supply will be from improved trees grown on managed plantations. 

This fast-grown resource will contain a greater proportion of juvenile wood, 

which will have a detrimental impact on allowable design stresses for visually graded lumber. Methods must be developed to more carefully manage 

fast-grown plantation wood for most efficient use. This review, a collection 

of knowledge pertaining to juvenile wood research in southern pines, 

should help in decision-making efforts to improve seedling selection techniques and silvicultural practices to maximize the potential for fast-grown 

plantations of southern pines. 

United States paper, paperboard, and market pulp capacity trends 

by process and location, 1970–2000. 

Ince, Peter J.; Li, Xiaolei; Zhou, Mo; Buongiorno, Joseph; Reuter, Mary R. 

FPL–RP–602. (www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplrp/fplrp602.pdf) 

This report describes a relational database with estimates of annual production capacity for all mill locations in the United States where paper, paperboard, or market pulp were produced from 1970 to 2000. Included are 

tabulations and charts of annual capacity trends and maps of capacity by 

commodity, process, and location for 1970 and 2000. By illustrating shifts in 

capacity, the report describes some of the more significant changes that 

have occurred in pulp and paper technology during the past several decades. 

Wood You Believe... 

! that the original chemical 

compound for aspirin 

came from willow bark? 

! that the oldest living thing 

on Earth is a tree? It’s a 

4,700 year-old bristlecone

pine tree in Nevada that 

was alive when the Egyptians built the pyramids! 

Source: www.afandpa.org

! that a cord of wood 

(8x4x4 feet) produces: 

! 7,500,000 toothpicks? 

! 1,000–2,000 pounds 

of paper (depending 

on the process)? 

! 61,370 standard-size 

envelopes? 

! 4,384,000 

commemorative-size 

postage stamps? 

! 30 Boston rockers? 

Source: 

www.hardwoodinfo.com 

! that Benjamin Franklin was 

the first paper merchant in 

America? He started 18 paper mills in Virginia and surrounding areas. 

Source: www.afandpa.org

7 

Winter 2002 
Forest Products Laboratory

NewsLine 

Published Quarterly by 

USDA Forest Service 

Forest Products Laboratory 

One Gifford Pinchot Drive 

Madison, WI 53705-2398 

Chris Risbrudt 

Director 

FEBRUARY 

On the Calendar 

Winter 2002 Olympics, 

Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Watch for FPL’s kiosks! 

(see article on page 1) 

February 11–13 

Enhancing the Durability 

of Lumber and Engineered 

Wood Products, 

Kissimmee (Orlando) Florida. 

FPL’s Jerry Winandy, Project leader 

for the Composites Research unit, 

is the Conference co-chair. The 

conference is sponsored by Forest 

Products Society. For more information call 608-231-1361. 

February 26–27 

Forest Industry/Forest Service 

Research Liaison Meeting, 

FPL, Madison, Wisconsin. 

A meeting for the forest industry 

to learn about FPL’s research in 

finishes, wood construction, adhesives, structural composites, wood 

properties, and wood preservation/biodeterioration. Contact 

Karen Martinson at 608-231-9450. 

MARCH 

March 3 

Pulp and Paper Education and 

Research Alliance Meeting, 

Atlanta, Georgia. 

For more information contact 

Harry Cullinan, director of the 

Pulp and Paper Education and 

Research Center, at 

cullinan@eng.Auburn.edu 

March 3–6 

Paper Summit 2002, 

Georgia World Congress 

Center, Atlanta, Georgia. 

For more information visit the 

web at www.papersummit.net 

APRIL 

April 11–13 

Smallwood 2002 Conference, 

Albuquerque Convention 

Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Community and economic development opportunities in small tree 

utilization. For more information 

contact Forest Products Society at 

608-231-1361, ext 208. 

April 30–May 1 

American Forest & Paper Association/Technical Association 

of Pulp & Paper Industry, Industrial Liaison Committee Meeting, 

Madison, Wisconsin. 

A committee comprised of pulp and 

paper companies, suppliers, and 

academia that review and provide 

input into FPL’s pulp and paper research program. Contact Jane 

Kohlman at 608-231-9479.