Research Brief #11

Increased Utilization of Spruce Pine (Pinus glabra) for Building and/or Millwork
Louisiana Forest Products Development Center
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA

Research Objectives

Provide insight into the current market of spruce pine lumber as a competitor with other of the Southern yellow pine group. Currently, spruce pine is sold at nearly 1/4 the stumpage price of the other Southern yellow pines. The reason for this discrepancy is to be identified and quantified.

Given that spruce pine is somewhat weaker than the other Southern yellow pines, alternative uses for this underutilized species is needed to provide an additional boost to the state's economy. The usage of spruce pine for millwork or other interior work is possible, but the results of machining and physical property tests have to be determined.

Synopsis of Results

The lumber of spruce pine was cut and dried by two methods: conventional and high temperature. Physical and mechanical property tests will be conducted to determine the properties of this species.

Machining tests will be conducted on the lumber to provide the basis for the applicability of spruce pine as a millwork species. Given the visual dissimilarity between spruce pine and other Southern pines, spruce pine can be used as an alternative to the more expensive ponderosa and white pines from the West coast.

Conclusions

The spruce pine is being tested currently for its various physical and mechanical properties.

Researchers

O. Victor Harding, Assistant Specialist, Forest Products Utilization
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service
Louisiana State University

Elvin Choong, Professor
Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
Louisiana State University

Robert Mills, Specialist, Forestry
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service
Louisiana State University

Target Group

Louisiana secondary wood products manufacturers
Louisiana primary wood products manufacturers

Methodology

Spruce pine logs were sawn into nominal two-inch dimension lumber using a Wood-Mizer. The lumber was dried in the experimental kiln at the Louisiana Forest Products Laboratory according to schedules for conventional and high temperature. The physical and mechanical properties of the lumber will be determined according to current ASTM standards. The applicability of spruce pine as a millwork species will be determined by comparing properties of machined pieces with other species currently used as millwork.