Where does construction lumber come from?

handbanana

Will we ever run out of 2x4s?

How many 2x4's does a pine tree yield?

Thanks!

send_it_all

Most consruction lumber is made from fir trees. They may be a form of pine. I don't know. What I do know is that a tree will yield approximately one 2x4 for every 2 inch by 4 inch useable section of tree.

Hope this helps...

mdlbldrmatt135

Typically called SPF Studs (Spruce Pine Fir) pretty much any on them and can be Mixed.... as far as strenght they're all close to the same.

NateHanson

The majority of logging is now sustainable on this continent. Logging is a big industry in Maine, and the Northeast currently has more forrested area than it did 100 years ago. I think the planned harvesting of trees is coming a bit more slowly to the northwest, where lots of forests were logged as if they'd never run out until a few decades ago, but it seems the industry wised-up a while ago.

(And no, fir is not a kind of pine. Pine trees have long round needles. And have a wide bushy growth form. Fir trees have short flat needles, and have a conical growth form.)

RemodelMan

Thankfully, the commercial building industry is using far more steel studs that wood. By a ratio of 5:1 is my best guess. The steel studs have many advantages like open holes to run the wiring and plumbing saving lots of time and waste. You ought to consider steel studs, designed for non supporting walls like a basement remodel or bath that will need to be plumbed and wired.
These walls can be insulated for both sound and heat as well or better than wood studs.

concretemasonry

Steel studs conduct more heat faster than wood studs.

With R19 a wood stud wall will be R16-R17. A steel stud wall will be R11 to R16. All depends on the stud spacing.

With rigid extruded polystyrene, there is no loss from the R-value of the insulation if it is applied to the surface and over the studs.

jogr

1. From the lumberyard.
2. No
3. Depends on the size of the tree.

BTW did you know that every piece of lumber you use ties up Carbon dioxide and prevents it from being emitted into the atmosphere thereby reducing global warming. So build something today and save the world.

1forest1

Trees ABSORB carbon dioxide and RELEASE oxygen... did you actually say "Cut down trees to stop global warming and save the world"??? .... Idiot.

Bondo

Ayuh,....... I think you're Mis-reading what was Said........

The Wood has it's carbon content Locked Up,+ it can't be released til it's Burnt.......
jogr was only stating that building with Wood, is Greener than building with Steel.......
And,......
Isn't it abit Moronic to be calling another poster an Idiot.....

Rehabber

Well said, Bondo

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ratherbefishin'

And don't forget SYP (southern yellow pine), from which comes most of our PT lumber. Denser and heavier than SPF and very renewable.

I'll try to avoid saying anything imbecilic here......

troubleseeker

Hey JOGR, looks like you hit a bullseye on an Al Gore fan . Wonder how many "carbon credits" he has bought from Big Al?

Tscarborough

Trees also release CO2 and absorb oxygen at night, as well as during various other weather events. If you are going to rag on someone with your superior knowledge, you should make sure you know what you are talking about. You can google the greenability of wood VS steel studs, but you will find that wood is better from that aspect.

skymaster

Tscar: Are you sure? I thought trees ABSORB co2 and release OXYGEN at night :}

Tscarborough

Pretty sure. During the day, CO2 and H2O (and light) are used to produce carbohydrates for the plant as well as excess O2. At night, the plant (depending upon species), either respirates excess CO2 in the process of using a intermediary sugar, or does nothing. Some plants also consume oxygen in this process.