Beech-Sycamore-Black Gum-Tupelo-Sweet Gum-Wormy Red Maple-Hackberry

Project purpose-this market development project strives to create end users who will purchase lumber from these minor eastern US hardwoods. All 35 states east of the Great Plains have minor species where upper grade lumber is currently being used for lower grade uses. This loss in value negatively affects landowners making it more difficult to apply proper forest management practices. Loggers and lumber processors also are negatively affected by receiving low product prices for upper grade minor species lumber. Finally, the whole economy is negatively affected when forest products resources are downgraded into lower value materials.

This project is possible through a grant by the US Forest Service's Wood Education and Resource Center of Princeton, WV. It is also supported by the Wood Products Extension Department at North Carolina State University.