THE GRADING OF HARDWOODS
WHAT THE TRADE EXPECTS
First grade lengths of
OAK ASH SYCAMORE ELM
CHERRY YEW SWEET CHESTNUT
Are regarded as
either::-
VENEER BUTTS or
PLANKING BUTTS
OAK and ELM
Are further graded
into :-
BEAM LOGS
OAK
Is further graded into: FENCING QUALITY
Clean, white BEECH
Is graded for:-
FURNITURE (mainly
chair manufacture)
Are used for::(which is also termed
2nd quality planking)
UPHOLSTERY
GRADE PLANKING
CARCASSING
Second lengths, or poorer grades in
of
ASH SYCAMORE BEECH LIME
NORWAY MAPLE
All species noted above which do not
fall into the above grades are
regarded as as only suitable for :-
MINING TIMBER ,
CIVIL ENGINEERING
SKIDS AND
FIREWOOD
It is highly advisable to fell quality hardwood during the winter months. Second
grade material has a ready market all the year round.
A fair hardwood specification would be :HARDWOOD TIMBER, MINIMUM 2m. LENGTH up to WAGON LENGTH ,
CROSS-CUT SQUARE THROUGH THE SECTION TO EASE LOADING.
CLEAN SNED. BUTT ENDS TOED OFF. FREE FROM SHATTER, METAL
AND EXCESSIVE ROT.
.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFETIME, ALL HARDWOODS ARE
SOUGHT AFTER FOR THE HOMEGROWN FIREWOOD MARKET.
FIREWOOD AT ROADSIDE CAN NOW BE SOLD AT A PRICE WHICH
WILL LEAVE A MARGIN OF £8.00 to £12.00 per tonne, AFTER
WORKING COSTS HAVE BEEN DEDUCTED. THIS MEANS THAT THE
PRICE OF SEASONED FIRE WOOD NOW EQUATES TO THAT OF 2nd
QUALITY PLANKING
G. Munro March 2013