Yield Comparisons Between 4/4 Lumber and SDR Studs from Small Woods-Run Yellow-Poplar Logs

A surplus of standing yellow-poplar in the pole to small sawlog size is available for use in the Eastern United States. Formerly, material such as this was used for furniture core stock. With the advent of particleboard, the resource is not used and, thus, is surplus. These small trees, however, could yield studs and other structural lumber. The Saw, Dry, and Rip (SDR) process developed by the USDA Forest Products Laboratory makes possible the manufacture of high quality studs from small hardwoods such as the surplus yellow-poplar. In a study of conventional sawing practices and the SDR process, SDR studs were shown to be superior in straightness. This report shows that the value and volume yields of studs are greater than for 4/4 lumber from similar trees. The volume of 4/4 lumber is only 70 percent of the stud volume. Stud volumes from conventional and SDR processes are equal. Value of products per thousand board feet are $169 for 4/4 lumber, $220 for conventional studs, and $228 for SDR studs. On a gross cubic foot of input basis, the SDR studs are 84 percent more valuable than 4/4 lumber. Yellow-poplar is found in the proximity of the greatest amount of new housing and light construction. Utilization of yellow-poplar SDR studs could result in lower transportation costs, relief on the softwood resource, a quality product, and a good return to the manufacturer.

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