Treatability of lodgepole pine laminated veneer lumber

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is a relatively new component of the wood construction market. Although structural LVL is currently manufactured from Douglas-fir in the Pacific Northwest, other species may offer a way for the forest products industry to expand its resource base. Lodgepole pine is relatively abundant, and LVL made from this species has been shown to exhibit good strength characteristics. Little information exists on the treatability of LVL manufactured from lodgepole pine, a species that, as solid lumber, is considered difficult to treat. Preservative retention levels and absorption paths in samples of lodgepole pine LVL treated with pentachlorophenol were investigated. An x-ray fluorescence assay revealed that retention levels were sufficient to meet American Wood-Preservers’ Association (AWPA) recommendations for solid lumber in end and side grain directions. Penetration was inhibited in the face ply direction, apparently due to gluelines. Incising the face plies will likely be required for lodgepole pine LVL to meet AWPA minimum levels of retention of 0.5 pcf for wood in contact with the ground.

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