Properties of SPF

Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) is interior British Columbia’s (BC’s) most plentiful species, considered a pioneer species that quickly regenerates in recently harvested areas.  It quickly grows back after forest fires, landslides, or other natural disasters.

White Spruce (Picea glauca) is BC’s most plentiful Spruce species, growing extensively throughout the interior of the province.

Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii) is so similar to White Spruce that the cut lumber of both species is not differentiated.

Alpine Fir (Abies Lasiocarpa) is also referred to as western Balsam Fir, grows throughout the interior of the province together with spruce and pine.

These two species are generally graded and marketed under a single species group of Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) in accordance with the National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA).

Kiln-dried SPF lumber has straight grain and a high strength-to weight ratio which makes it a desirable product to use as structural framing for residential, industrial, and commercial buildings.  This group of species is also used in the manufacture of plywood, doors, Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), and pulp.  When air dried, this combination of lumber weighs about 30 lbs per cubic foot.

Collectively, the wood of SPF is distinctly white to pale yellow without a lot of color variation between springwood and summerwood.  Small tight knots, straight grain and excellent gluing abilities, this group of wood species is a popular choice for modular housing, trusses, and interior finishing.

Lodgepole Pine wood is soft and of uniform texture.  It takes paints and varnishes satisfactorily, has good nailing properties, and weighs about 29 lbs per cubic foot when air dried.  The trees are commonly 6 – 20 inches in diameter and only 20 – 40 feet in height although can grow up to 24 inches in diameter and 100 feet in height on favorable sites.  Due to its small size, it yields very little high-grade lumber.

Alpine Fir is similar in size to that of larger specimens Lodgepole Pine and have properties that are about the same.

White Spruce is typically 18 – 24 inches in diameter and 50 feet tall, though has been known to reach 48 inches diameter and 100 feet in height.  Its wood has similar properties to those of Lodgepole pine and Alpine fir and weighs about 26 lbs per cubic foot air dried.

Engelmann Spruce is usually found in diameters of 18 – 36 inches and heights of 80 – 120 feet.  The wood is light in color, straight grained, and machines well.  Its larger size produces a higher percentage of clear lumber than the other species in this group.  Engelmann spruce weighs about 27 lbs per cubic foot.