Pseudotsuga menziesii is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, pinaceae. There is no one correct answer to that question because quality log homes can be built successfully from many different wood species. Wood species for log homes choosing your wood species. Fir is a group of tree species related to pine, just as spruce, hemlock, tamarack, and other coniferous trees are.
Uniform shelterwood systems for douglasfirlodgepole pine. Panjiva uses over 30 international data sources to help you find qualified vendors of lodgepole pine. Lodgepole is intermediate in water needs, requiring more than douglasfir and ponderosa pine. Softwoods have been exported from the united states for over 400 years. The simple cell structure of softwoods long, uniformly packed fibers gives them a high strengthtoweight ratio, making them flexible and capable of bearing heavy loads. The oregon legislature recognized this when it designated douglas fir the official state tree in 1936.
The ability to handle a load without breaking and bounce back. Sierra lodgepole pine forms extensive, pure stands in the sierran lodgepole pine zone 2,12,48. Uniform selterwood systems for douglasfirlodgepole pine. Similar to scots pine, though somewhat larger, jack pine is known for its yellowgreen needles, spreading crown, and.
Lodgepole pine occupies an array of landscape units within its zone of adaptation. Because the douglas fir tree grows to majestic heights, the wood offers an excellent strengthtoweight ratio. Uniform shelterwood systems for douglasfirlodgepole pine stands. Sitka spruce, white spruce, lodgepole pine, engleman spruce and white fir are. Looking for information on the durability of a certain wood.
Douglas fir s coarse texture cant easily be worked with hand tools. Lodgepole pine manufacturers suppliers of lodgepole pine. As far as what the differences are between fir and pine, i live in the east and we. Lodgepole pine is a top choice of discerning craftsmen in fine log construction of furniture, railings and decorative. Thus has white pine fallen from first place among the timber trees of the continent. The ponderosa pine pinus ponderosa is found in the dry interior of bc. Yet, the wood grips nails and screws securely, and readily accepts all types. Lodgepole pine pinus contorta is widely distributed over nearly all of british columbia and is one of four western species of pine found in the kootenay interior wet belt. Spf often includes lodgepole pinea tree that has very small knots and tight old growth.
Spruce pine fir south this species combination, classed as moderately strong, is crosscontinental in origin. In favourable conditions, sizes range from 12 to 24 inches in diameter and 50 to 100 feet in height. This is understandable because both are softwoods harvested in the northern hemisphere and are used extensively in the building trades to. Jack pine is a cold tolerant native species that can survive on dry, sandy or gravelly sites. It is also mixed with various species of spruce, pine, and fir and sold under the group abbreviation spf. Douglas fir is actually not a true fir and is in a genus of its own.
Look at most of the log home industry and they use either lodgepole pine, spruce, southern yellow pine or northern white pine. And to avoid tearing grain, even power tool blades must be sharp. Spf often includes lodgepole pine a tree that has very small knots and tight old growth ring characteristicsalways a good choice. Rocky mountain douglasfir and ponderosa pine stands, particularly. We also supply specialty materials in the dimensions, lengths and grades our customers require. Douglas fir, hybrid white spruce, lodgepole pine, and subalpine fir was measured on the various seedbeds and canopy removal treatments in the germination experiments established between 1994 and 1996. Lodgepole pines lifecycle usually starts and ends with a crown fire. Also known as black pine, it can be quite ornamental when young. Jul 17, 2017 similar in general form, basic differences exist between fir and pine trees, including botanical name, native ranges, and cone shape. Strenth of southern pine and douglasfir compared author. Read douglas fir lumber specs and information here at sustainable lumber co. Its important that the trees grow at high elevations. It is common near the ocean shore and in dry montane forests to the subalpine, but is rare in lowland rain forests. Areas of lodgepole pine in the red fir habitats are characterized by poor drainage and often a cooler microsite.
Yet, the wood grips nails and screws securely, and readily accepts all types of adhesives. Among the most ecologically and commercially important trees in america are the douglas fir and the many pines native to the country. It also has thin bark so when you get a cord of lodgepole, you are. In the eastern united states, it is often planted as an ornamental tree. Plants lodgepole pine a type of pine tree, pinus contorta, found in mountainous regions of northwest america 2. Stands arent unnaturally dense and frequent fires not part of their ecology. Douglas fir knots are reddish orange, and usually intergrown especially in interior fir. Douglas fir on the other hand is quite uniform in color a dullyellow and grain and is ideal for a contemporary setting. Lodgepole pine tends to be a slower growing and more dense pine with one of the higher btu rating of the pines. Here they are in april, with the typical open grassland understory. Forest research and outreach lodgepole pine pinus contorta.
Species include western red cedar, hemlock, douglasfir, southern. All three species are excellent to use in log structures and all three have been utilized for many decades in the log building industry. If you have a tough site to plant, this tree may be right for you. Ive made a few posts about the virtues of lodgepole pine a few times myself. One of the first questions that occurs to people who contemplate buying a log home is what kind of wood is the best to use. This practice, however, reduces the component of douglas. Nov 12, 2011 in summer, elk generally are found at higher elevations outside the rocky mountain douglas fir and pacific ponderosa pine zones. Douglas fir is also cultivated in europe, australia and new zealand for its highquality timber. Logs supplied by trout creek international homes tcih for your log home are available in three wood species lodgepole pine, engelmann spruce and douglas fir. Canada is the largest importer of ponderosa pine, with mexico and japan as distant runnersup. Today, america is recognized worldwide as a sustainable source of top quality products. Yukon territory south through british columbia and alberta. Earlywood and latewood have a pronounced difference in colour, the latewood having darker, more. Difference between pine and fir compare the difference.
Lodgepole pine develops a shallow root system which is susceptible to windthrow. Theoretically, a class 4 pole of any species should handle the same load, but that is an evenly applied load. Mpb are a natural part of the ecosystem, help lower risk of crown fire and help reset the system. A poorly defined lodgepole pine zone occurs above the red fir abies magnifica zone and below the subalpine forests of mountain hemlock tsuga mertensiana, whitebark pine pinus albicaulis, and. Lodgepole pine is the single most plentiful tree species in british columbia. Douglas fir pseudotsuga menziesii, perhaps the most common tree in oregon, is the most important conifer in the state because of its ecological and economic significance. Lodgepole is intermediate in water needs, requiring more than douglas fir and ponderosa pine. Dec 28, 2018 pine and fir are two softwood species harvested in the northern hemisphere. They are both widely used in the building industry to provide lumber and plywood for homes and framed structures as well. Lodgepole pine pinus contorta forest research and outreach.
Alexandria moulding douglas fir mixed grain board is used for cabinetry work, shelve frames and other utilitarian uses. California is second with slightly more than one billion board feet. Douglasfir pseudotsuga menziesii is one of the worlds bestknown and most widely used wood species. Lodgepole pine does best in full to light shade and adapts to a variety of soil types. Douglasfir, hybrid white spruce, lodgepole pine, and subalpine fir was measured on the various seedbeds and canopy removal treatments in the germination experiments established between 1994. Wood species for log homes lodgepole pine, engelmann.
Douglas fir is a western species whose tones vary from rosy red to yellow, depending on age. Ponderosa pine is one of americas most abundant tree species. The differences between wood species used to build log homes. Jun 25, 2019 looking for information on the durability of a certain wood. Similar to scots pine, though somewhat larger, jack pine is known for its yellowgreen needles, spreading crown, and irregular form. It is used for light framing materials, doors, windows, and furniture. One area was a rocky mountain lodgepole pine pinus contorta var. The timber durability chart contains 5 classifications, with each class determining how long each timber listed will last.
The light, strong wood of the white pine is used to make window frames. In british columbia, there are two varieties of douglasfir. It is native to western north america and is known as douglas fir, douglasfir, oregon pine, and columbian pine. Douglas firs coarse texture cant easily be worked with hand tools.
The former is an oftenenormous conifer belonging to its own genus. It can put out a fair amount of heat and will last a while. Lodgepole pine firewood btu rating how does lodgepole pine. Lodgepole pine, the fast food of firewood firewood. Germinant survival was highest on rotten wood and mineral soil 5469%, and poorest on moss mats 2143%. Douglas fir is north americas most plentiful softwood species, accounting for onefifth of the. Field guide for the identification of snags and logs usda forest. Fir, which will usually rate the highest in terms of the span tables mike smith rhode island. Lodgepole pine the wood database lumber identification. Lodgepole pine, interior spruce and subalpine fir are marketed together as a single species group sprucepinefir or spf. Get free 2day shipping on qualified douglas fir products or buy products today with buy online pick up in store.
Lodgepole pine is commonly associated with meadows rundel et al. It is beautiful and durable, making it the ideal species for fenestration and a hallmark of. A poorly defined lodgepole pine zone occurs above the red fir abies magnifica zone and below the subalpine forests of mountain hemlock tsuga mertensiana, whitebark pine pinus albicaulis, and western white pine p. Pinus contorta, with the common names lodgepole pine and shore pine, and also known as twisted pine, and contorta pine, is a common tree in western north america. This practice, however, reduces the component of douglas fir in future stands. What is the diff between ponderosa pine and douglas fir. Lodgepole pine firewood is considered by many to be one of the better pines and softwoods for firewood. As far as what the differences are between fir and pine, i live in the east and we dont have much in the way of fir where i live, so i cant tell you what the differences are in living trees. Sep 15, 2019 lodgepole pine firewood is considered by many to be one of the better pines and softwoods for firewood. Douglas fir is a conebearing softwood, meaning that it is not a.
Big leaf maple black spruce choke cherry pacific dogwood douglas fir douglas maple engelmann spruce garry oak grand. Several kinds of pines native to the southeast loblolly, slash, shortleaf and longleaf are classified in the lumber industry as southern yellow pine and are widely used in construction. The sapwood is light in colour and of narrow width. Lodgepole pine is a longerlived, early successional species growing in western canada. I have old growth straight grain cedar i cut in the early 90s for kindling and its still as good as the day i cut it. Spf is a species stamp it means spruce pine fir and they dont care,they consider them the same as far as strength goes. Douglasfir is a hugely important lumber tree, grown widely in plantations well outside its native range. Lodgepole definition of lodgepole by the free dictionary. Cone bearing starts early from 610 years of age and the 1 12 cones remain mostly unopened and attached on the tree for years. You probably mean spf, but in that group the f is the true firs, not douglasfir. It can tolerate high water tables which allows it to dominate species such as ponderosa pine, redwood, or douglas fir on soils kept wet by an underlying hardpan.
With its lofty elevations, favorable climate, and four distinct seasons, idaho is the perfect. Firewood btu ratings charts for common tree species. Pine will darken and yellow with age, adding character and charm. In order, southern pine, northern pine, lodgepole pine, with a tie between douglas fir and western red cedar. Spruce trees that have been allowed to grow and mature have been found to possess acoustical. Douglas fir is native to western north america, from canada south to california and into mexico. Some lodgepole pine is mixed with ponderosa pine and sold together as construction lumber under. Although lodgepole and ponderosa are burned by a lot of people, in comparison douglas fir would be superior or the cream of the crop.
Eight of ten conifers west of the cascades are douglas firs. South to colorado and west to the pacific coast and the sierra nevada mountains. Firewood btu ratings chart best firewood heat energy content. Distinct color variations occur and the grain can appear straight or erratic depending on how it is cut from the log. During fall elk use stands of rocky mountain lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, western larch, or grand fir with high canopy cover. I live on the west slope too and have found that oak, even when protected, doesnt keep that well, unlike cedar, pine, fir, or lodgepole.
It is an important softwood commercial tree and valuable to wildlife. You probably mean spf, but in that group the f is the true firs, not douglas fir. Spruce trees that have been allowed to grow and mature have been found to possess acoustical properties, making the tree better suited for use in the construction of musical instruments such as guitars, violins and pianos. Some lodgepole pine is mixed with ponderosa pine and sold together as construction lumber under the stamp pplp. Because douglas fir contains fewer resins than many other softwoods, count on success with paint and clear finishes. Great comparison, except lodgepole doesnt plug up your chimney the way fast food plugs up your arteries. The heartwood ranges from yellowish to reddishbrown. Ponderosa pines, windows trimmed in ponderosa, the columns are douglas fir. About douglas fir trees of british columbia, canada. Ive come to the realization that its the most reliable, easiest to access and process firewood, in my area.
Douglas fir is characterized by exceptional natural strength, hardness and durability. The current practice in these stands has been to clearcut and plant lodgepole pine, since pine is less susceptible to frost and easier to establish. Strenth of southern pine and douglas fir compared author. Lodgepole pine should be widely available as construction lumber for a modest price. Civil engineering a pole made from the wood of this. The key difference between pine and fir trees is on the tree foliage. Species does not have any unusual or specific life history or biological attributes or limted reproductive potential which makes it susceptible to extirpation from stochastic events or other adverse impacts to its habitat and thus slow to recover. Effects of douglas fir establishment in southwestern montana mountain big sagebrush communities. It is a light, softer wood, but it works well for basic construction projects. Straight talk from the top preassembled log homes and.
Generally, pine tree grows in an irregular form while fir tree grows in a triangular form. The 2nd area was an older, decadent stand of rocky mountain lodgepole pine with subalpine fir and engelmann spruce picea engelmannii attaining dominance. The rocky mountain douglasfir, pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. Lodgepole pine firewood btu rating how does lodgepole. That means the wood is tightgrained, low in sap, that grow in uniform long lengths. Jack pine is a relatively small, shortlived, early successional tree occurring in the eastern and central parts of taiga east of the rocky mountains.
Douglasfir pseudotsuga menziesii, perhaps the most common tree in oregon, is the most important conifer in the state because of its ecological and economic significance. Trees of the idaho forest idaho forests products commission. Because of similar design values, the combination includes engelmann and sitka spruces, and lodgepole pine from the west, along with balsam fir, jack pine, red pine and several eastern spruces from the u. Pine and fir are two softwood species harvested in the northern hemisphere. They are both widely used in the building industry to provide lumber and plywood for homes and framed. The texture of this softwood is smooth with a straight, even grain and knots that create beautiful swirl patterns. Foliage characteristics are the best way to differentiate the two, focusing on needle clusters and lengths. Wood species for log homes lodgepole pine, engelmann spruce. Often referred to as red fir, douglas spruce or even oregon pine, theyre evergreen trees that keep their needles year round. The aesthetic appeal of clear, light, straight, verticalgrain douglas fir is unsurpassed amongst any of the worlds. Jack pine is a relatively small, shortlived, early successional tree occurring in the eastern and central.
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