Department of Wood and Paper Science

Wood Products Extension

Wood Products News

January 2002 (Volume 24, Number 1)

LUMBER GRADING WORKSHOP OFFERED

North Carolina State University's Wood Products Extension in conjunction with the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) will conduct a Hardwood Lumber Grading Workshop on the campus of North Carolina State University, March 11-13, 2002. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Southeastern Dry Kiln Club. This three-day course will provide a basic understanding of the principles of grading hardwood lumber. By making your key employees aware of the various lumber grades, the end result will be a better manufactured product. These employees will become more valuable to your operation by having a better understanding of the value of the lumber they are handling. The course is designed as an introduction and a refresher course of the NHLA rules. It will cover the fundamentals of hardwood lumber inspection and will give the attendees the opportunity for hands-on application of the rules. Lumber graders, lumber grader trainees, hardwood log purchasers, lumberyard managers, sawyers, edger and trimmer operators, and sales personnel would greatly benefit from this course. The workshop registration fee of $250 will cover the cost of lunch each day and course materials. Other meals and lodging are not included. For more information contact Joe Denig at 919-515-5582 (voice), 919-515-8739 (fax) or joe_denig@ncsu.edu.

PALLET RECYCLING WORKSHOP PRESENTED

North Carolina State University's Wood Products Extension will conduct a Pallet Recycling Workshop for Users, Recyclers, and Administrators at the Land-of-Sky Regional Council Office in Asheville on January 31, 2002 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. The workshop is co-sponsored by the NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Land-of-Sky Regional Council, and the USDA Forest Service. Those attending will learn about the current situation regarding pallet markets, disposal and regulation, opportunities for wood pallet recovery, using pallet parts for flooring, paneling and furniture, experiences from others, and support for pallet recovery operations. This workshop will be beneficial to industrial pallet users, pallet recyclers, landfill operators, woodworkers, entrepreneurs, and government employees. The workshop registration fee, which covers lunch and handouts, is $15. Limited seating is available. For more information contact Urs Buehlmann at 919-515-5580 (voice), 919-515-8739 (fax) or urs_buehlmann@ncsu.edu.

HEAT TREATMENT STANDARD TO GO GLOBAL

The new international phytosanitary policy that requires heat treatment of all softwood packaging materials destined for the European Union (EU) will be adopted worldwide on March 31, 2002 by the United Nation's International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Both softwoods and hardwoods will be covered under the new IPPC regulations, which also require that all heat treated (HT) wood products be "bark free." The new standard, originally expected to become global by the end of 2002 or in early 2003, mandates that all packaging materials destined for overseas markets bear an HT mark, the international symbol for pasteurization of wood products. For more information about new phytosanitary regulations, click on Need HT Lumber? on the homepage of www.southernpine.com

TRADE MISSION PROPOSED

The NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services has proposed a trade mission to China for lumber, veneer, and other wood products exporters in March 2002. The mission will include several days of appointments with manufacturers in Southern China. For more information on participating in this activity, please contact Charles Green, Trade Specialist at 919-733-7912.

NORTH CAROLINA WOOD PRODUCTS MAGIC SHOW

There is a real need to educate the public and young people in particular about wood and the wood products industry. On March 14, 2002, the College of Natural Resources' Department of Wood and Paper Science will host the first annual North Carolina Wood Products Magic Show at NC State University. This is an educational program targeted at 3rd and 4th graders that presents factual information about the wood products industry in a positive atmosphere. The North Carolina Wood Products Magic Show will focus on primary and secondary products produced from our timber resources. It will feature active, hands-on demonstrations and interactive experiments related to wood products. Each class will have their own tour guide who will guide them through each event and answer their questions. Events include:

Before taking the students back to their school, teachers will receive a bag of gifts, information on wood products, and Wood Products Magic Show souvenirs. The teacher bags will include numerous gifts, educational packets, demonstration items, fun things for the children, and a stamped, self-addressed evaluation form. This science education program for 3rd and 4th graders presents factual information in an entertaining, engaging, and interactive way. Underlining themes will include how wood adds value to your quality of life, how the wood products industry is taking a responsible approach to the use of natural resources, and how science is used to improve production of recyclable wood products. We expect to have approximately 125 students accompanied by their teachers and a handful of parents. As you can imagine, an event of this type will require plenty of help. If you would like to help, you can do so by donating your time (examples include acting as a class tour guide, serving lunch or a snack, and helping trouble shoot problems throughout the day) or requesting your company to make a cash contribution (checks should be made payable to NC State University and mailed to Larry Jahn at Wood Products Extension, Campus Box 8003, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8003). If you are interested in helping us with this event, please contact Larry Jahn at 919-515-5579 (voice), 919-515-8739 (fax) or larry_jahn@ncsu.edu by February 14, 2002.

Edited by: Larry G. Jahn

Wood Products Extension Specialist