Some lumber will also be used to determine the properties of members connected with metal-plate connections. This information, when combined with historical data and independent studies of other uses, can help define utilization options for wood from small-diameter trees in the inland west. Ponderosa pine thinnings show little potential for direct use as structural lumber. However, this material may have some potential for use as CORE material in laminated beams. Mechanical grading of lodgepole pine and grand fir offered even better grade yield of structural product than did visual grading.
Analysis is in progress on the other phases of the study.
23.9 17.2 No.3 3.2 31.9 32.5 5.0 4.4 4.6 Econ. All of the ponderosa pine samples are from small-diameter trees. However, those from northern Idaho and Flagstaff, Arizona are from suppressed trees, while those from central Idaho are from a plantation. Additional information, including volume recovery from logs and yield in other grading systems will be in future publications.