NHLA Presents Lumber Grading Short-Course to Catskill WoodNet Members

DAVENPORT - On August 1-3, 2007, Jack English, a Lumber Inspector that covers the Northeast Region for the National Hardwood Lumber Association, visited the Catskills to instruct a three day course that overviewed the NHLA Rules for Hardwood Lumber Grading. The course was hosted by Greene Lumber Co, LP at their sawmill in Davenport and participants received a break on the costs to attend by a grant from the USDA Forest Service and the Watershed Agricultural Council's Forestry Program. The course was attended by representatives of several Catskill WoodNet member businesses, including Catskill Craftsmen Inc., Hardwoods Unlimited, and Wightman Specialty Woods.

"It's amazing to me that a person can make such quick judgment calls on the green chain and come out accurate according to grade and scale.", states Archie Biruk of Biruk Lumber - a small sawmill and dry kiln operation in Halcottsville. Over the three days, workshop participants covered topics such as the cutting unit method, allowable defects, standard grades F1F - 3 COMMON, and more.

Local forest-based business is crucial to private forest landowners in the NYC Watershed region who are faced with rising costs of ownership and pressures to sub-divide. Practicing sustainable forestry, these landowners work with Catskill WoodNet member companies to implement forest management activities that are good for forests and watersheds. The lumber grading workshop is one way that the Watershed Agricultural Council is helping to keep forestry-based businesses in the NYC Watershed region competitive.

To learn more about future workshops being offered you can call the Watershed Forestry Program at (607) 865-7790, check the WoodNet Bulletin Board or email info@catskillwoodnet.org.