A tour of The Wood Depot's operations located on Forest Drive in Belmopan reveals how complex the timber industry is. If lumber or poles aren't dried to the proper moisture content, treating them with preservatives is pretty much a waste of time. That is why we use the kiln drying process. After all, quality control is very important. In kiln drying, poles or lumber are stacked on trolleys and inserted into the kiln where superheated steam dries them to the optimum moisture content.
Poles are ready to be treated after drying.
Both are now ready for marketing. The Wood Depot uses pine for 99 percent of its products. Studies have shown that residents of Belize City and other urban areas are comfortable using treated pine in building construction. Rural residents, however, still prefer mahogany and other hardwoods. But the fact is production of such timber is declining and pine is on the rise.