U. S. Lumber and Log Exports and lmports

For First Nine Months of 1938

Total exports of hardwood and softwood lumber (including boards, planks, scantlings, flooring, sawed timber) and logs for the first 9 months of 1938 totaled 795,215 M board feet as compared with 1,2f,1,214 M feet for the corresponding period of.1937, a loss of 38 per cent, according to figures released by the Forest Products Division of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.

Of the total 1938 amount, sawed material accountecl for 7U,376 M feet as compared with 1,139,745 M feet, a loss o.f 38 per cent. On the same basis of comparison, exports of logs and hewn timber totaled 90,839 M feet as against 141,469 M feet, a loss of 36 per cent.

In the following paragraphs, the amounts cover the first 9 months of 1938. For com,parative purposes the fi.gu,r.es covering the first 9 months of. 1937 are in parentheses.

Sawn softwood totaled 515,695 M feet (849,752). In this sawn softwood group, Douglas fir was the most important species exported totaling 232,679 M feet (468,444). Southern pine w'as next in importance totaling 225,343 M feet (285,8m). Other woods exported in this group were: white, lronderosa, aird sugar pine,26,643 M feet (41,360) ; redwood ll,30O M feet (19,581) ; sp,ruce 7,999 M feet (16,937) ; cedar, 3.780 M feet (5,046); cypress, 3,868 M teet (3,527); hemlock, 1,362 M feet (4,78).

Sawn hardwoods (including flooring) totaled 188,68l I\,I feet (289,993). In this group, oak totaled 92,A68 ilI feet (132,C/{6); ash 19,58O M feet (34,172); poplar I4,n3 M feet (24,9ffi). Other species in this group although totaling smaller quantities also showed decreased export volumes. Softwood log exports totaled 73,776 M feet (122,428). Hardwood log exports totaled 17,063 M feet (19,041). In this log export group, Douglas fir accounted for 58,985 M feet (56,783); cottonwood and aspen 8,00O M feet (7,81); hemlock, 3,235 M f.eet (31,524; ash and hickory, 3,057 I,f feet (4,041); Port Orford cedar, 3,196 M f.eet (7,7D). Log exports of other segregated species were comparatively small.

With reference to the above export statistics, mention should be made that sawed railroad ties, trim and mol'dings are not included (even though they are considered as lumber items), for the reason that the figures are not readily available in terms of board feet. Box shooks are not included since comparable import statistics are not available.

Total imports of hardwood and softwood logs and lumber (including clapboard and cabinet rvoods) totaled 49O,831 M teet (642,174). Of this amount 119,809 M feet (101,831) were logs (hardwoods and softwoods) ;323,947 M feet (452,&5) were softwood lumber (including clapboards) (Continued on Page 30)