Balsam Fir–A Potential New Source of Softwood Lumber

Balsam fir bolts (8 ft.) that had been delivered on a woods-run basis to pulpwood concentration yards in northern Minnesota were sampled to determine bolt size and quality. A number of saw quality bolts were then sawn into lumber which was subsequently evaluated using established grading rules. Data gathered in this study indicate that a significant volume of Minnesota balsam fir now reaching mill yards is of sawlog quality. Over 69 percent of all bolts and 65 percent of bolts having a small end diameter of 7.6 inches and larger were found to be completely free of defect. Lumber sawn from such defect-free logs yielded 60 percent 2 by 4’s and 30 percent 2 by 6’s. More than 75 percent of the rough green 2 by 4’s produced in this study were of construction grade and 50 percent of the 2 by 6’s graded select structural. Results point to a high potential for lumber production from balsam fir and suggest that this species could play an expanded role in contributing to the nation’s softwood lumber needs.

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