Visual Grading Criteria
Question:
Where can I find a copy of the criteria used to visually grade lumber?
Answer:
There are standard grading rules for each lumber category, all of which have been approved by the American Lumber Standards Board of Review. You can purchase these standards from the groups that stamp the particular species you’re interested in:
- The Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers’ Association publishes standards for Eastern White Pine, Red Pine (Norway Pine), Eastern Spruces, Eastern Hemlock, Tamarack, Northern White Cedar, Balsam Fir, Aspen, Jack Pine, Pitch Pine, Eastern Softwoods, Spruce-Pine-Fir south, Red Maple, Mixed Maple, Beech-Birch-Hickory, Mixed Oaks, Red Oak, Northern Red Oak, White Oak and Yellow Poplar.
- The West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau (WCLIB) publishes standards for Douglas Fir, Hem Fir, Western Red Cedar and Spruce-Pine-Fir south.
- The Western Lumber Wood Products Association (WWPA) publishes standards for Douglas Fir, Engelmann Spruce, Hemlock-True Firs, Idaho White Pine, Incense Cedar, Lodgepole Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Sugar Pine, Western Larch and Western Red Cedar.
- The Southern Pine Inspection Bureau publishes standards for Southern Pine.
- The National Lumber Grading Authority publishes standards for all lumber species for Canada.