EasternWhite Pine In fashion

explained. "We usually have one or two items [that sell particularly well], but this is industrials, everything."

The species' versatility allows it to do a lot of things well. L.R. McCoy, an $80 million-a-year wholesaler, sells a full range of eastern white pine products, "from green log home timbers to edge-glued panels and molded-and- tenoned parts," Quitadamo noted. "The only limitations are the mills' [capabilitiesl. I play matchmaker." ffEAVY overall demand for wood llproducts and a renewed recognition of the benefits of eastern white pine have kept wholesalers and mills plenty busy over the last 12 months.

Those limitations are becoming fewer. "There have been massive improvements in the quality of the planing," he noted. "Mills in the region have made large investments in moulders and planers."

"The market is strong," emphasized Peter Buckley, Mill River Lumber Ltd., N. Clarendon, Vt. "It's been strong for a while. It started last fall and continued right through the winter. Our biggest problem is we can't get enough wood to satisfy our needs."

"The market has been good," agreed Doug Britton, Britton Lumber Co., Fairlee, Vt. "Demand is ahead of supply, which is a switch compared to a year ago when there was a bit of oversupply. Due to a devaluation of the dollar, we had a lot of foregin species coming in."

At the same time, severe weather earlier in the year reduced the capabilities of logging firms. "Between the weather and heated market, it prevented the mills from building up inventories," said Rich Quitadamo, product manager for eastern white pine at wholesaler L.R. McCoy & Co., Worcester, Ma. "Many of the mills I deal with are at 2}-year lows as far as finished inventories. They've put us on a much shorter leash. Order files are three to four weeks. It's definitely a seller's market."

Eastern white pine boards, siding, paneling, specialties-everything is moving. "It's not one item," Buckley

Many castern mills also harve begun cndstamping to minirnize the use of gurr.r labcls or stapled tags. rvhich might fall off.

Qr-ritaciamo also attributcs eastcrn rvhite pine's success to "proprietary grades. grades that 'nvork tirr the cus tonrcr" and suppliers' "ability to gct n.rixcd loads. crcating smallcr, morc custonicr-fiiendly bundles. "

Prirnarily, ho"vcvcr. eastcrn rvhite pine is in demancl bccausc of liou' it looks and how it pcrftlrms. "lt has a nice appcarancc." Britton noted. "Thcrc's a lot of rccl knottecl rvood up in thc Northeast that compares tuvorably to othef specics. It u'orks and takes a l'inish ivell."

Mill Rivcr has custorners in thc loc hrlrne inclustry in Tenncssce atrcl ships cilsleflr rr lritc pirre ltr lirIrtiturc rtllrrtu facturers as far arvay as California, cvcn thougl'r portderosa pinc woulcl bc rnore economical. "Thcy prcfer cast crn pine." Buckley saicl. "Ponderosa pinc is rnorc brittle. lt clocsn't take a finish as rr'cll."

Quitadamo cchoed: "lJastern pinc has superior rnachining capabilities. It's a lot less brash. You can hand or -uun nail it u'ith a lot less loss. lt's

Admirable Qualities

The trvo main attributes of eastern rvhite pine are Durability and Character.

Durability for Function.

Torvcring ovcl' the grr:at Northeast landscape. eastcrn rvhite pinc has been rnuch sought after lirl building pr()jcct\ requirin-e quality and durability. This unique rvood has a fine grain and unifbrm texture, shapes easily fbr profiles, stays true to form. and hcllds flnishes extrernely rvcll.

For centuries, eastcrn white pinc has bccn the mlinstay in quality construction and fine woodworking. Eastern rvhite pine stands strong.

Character for Design.

The contours of the knots and rich golden color are a perfcct balance for the fast pace of our modern life. Blending simply with rnany aesthetics and environments. its ability to hold colurs. and shorvcase dctail. make this rvood species a favorite for historical accuracy and contemporary designs. Eastern pinc adds valr.re.

much rnore stablc than ponclcnlsa or any ot' the Southcrn pines. Thcre's very littlc residual loss; the cLlstorner can utilizc it almost I'ully. Sonretirnes people fi)rget to analyzc the final cost. There's the invoice cost and thcn the cost after some hars bccn throrvn arvay in the dumpster."

Even aftcr the sr-rppl1' loosens and irnports rcno."' the battle. the inclustry can continLlc rccciving a premiurn firr the species. "What r'vc need to do is try to get pcople to think of eastcrn pine as a dcsign item. like these cottasc homc picces," Quitaclamo saicl. "Vicrv it as a l'ashion itern."

HE Northeast has a long hi standardization in lumber. where have been in use since 1833-which may be the resl recorded use in the U.S. Through Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, size and quality standards for the Northeastern softwood species are established to benefit all segments of the lumber producing and using public.

Grading rules are developed through the need for product uniformity between mills producing the same or similar species. Regardless of the nature of the log, the natural differences in the lumber are blended to produce a grade level of suitable uniformity of appearance and/or utility.

NeLMA's Eastern White Pine grade descriptions set forth the limiting characteristics that may occur in the lum-