Lumber Production in Oregon
Five billion board feet a year — the mills, volume and species behind America's leading softwood state.
Industry & History
20 articles on industry & history from the Lumber Lookup blog.
History of Sawmills in America: From Pit Saws to Band Mills
From pit saws to water power, steam, circular and band saws — four centuries of American sawmill history.
History of Logging in the Pacific Northwest: Boom, Railroads and Big Timber
Steam donkeys, logging railroads, Weyerhaeuser and the spotted owl — the history of Pacific Northwest logging.
Best States for Timber Production and Starting a Sawmill
Best states for timber production ranked by volume, species, mills and log supply for new sawmills.
History of the Portable Sawmill: How Mobile Milling Changed Small Timber
History of the portable sawmill — from steam circular saws to thin-kerf bandmills and chainsaw mills.
Timber Industry in the Southeast US: Pine Plantations and the Wood Basket
The timber industry in the Southeast US — pine belt production, mills and markets.
History of the Chainsaw: From Surgical Tool to Timber Workhorse
History of the chainsaw — from surgical origins to the modern one-person saw.
Lumber Industry in Michigan and the Great Lakes: White Pine Era to Today
The lumber industry in Michigan — hard maple country, mill history and today's markets.
History of the Band Sawmill and Circular Saw: The Two Inventions That Built Lumber
History of the band sawmill — how the endless blade replaced the sash and circular mills.
Forestry Industry in Maine: From First Sawmill to Working Forests
The forestry industry in Maine — spruce-fir country, mills and a working forest economy.
History of Log Drives: River Logging and Moving Timber by Water
History of log drives — river crews, splash dams and the last drive on the Penobscot.
The Appalachian Hardwood Region: Oak, Cherry and Poplar Country
The Appalachian hardwood region — oak, cherry and poplar country and its mills.
History of Steam-Powered Sawmills and the Big-Mill Era
History of steam powered sawmills — donkey engines, band heads and the steam era.
Urban Lumber Salvage: City Trees Into Saleable Boards
Urban lumber salvage — turning city trees into boards instead of mulch.
Salvage Timber Milling: Beetle-Kill Pine and Damaged Stands
Salvage timber milling — blue stain pine, fire salvage and sorting dead timber for value.
Timber Industry in Idaho and Montana: Inland Northwest Forests at Work
The timber industry in Idaho — white pine country and a $2.8 billion forest economy.
Lumber Industry in California: Sierra Nevada, Redwoods and Regulation
The lumber industry in California — redwood, Sierra pine and regulation-heavy milling.
History of Timber Framing: The Barns and Beams Behind the Lumber Trade
History of timber framing — mortise and tenon from medieval halls to the modern revival.