107 - Burl & Grain

107 - Burl & Grain

Author: Shannon Rogers August 30, 2023 Duration: 1:25:53
In this episode I welcome Matt Farrell from Burl and Grain in Hillsboro, OR. They are a sawmill and lumber yard like many of my previous guests. But Matt has extensive experience in drying lumber and has been a consultant to many firms to improve drying operations. So we talk quite a bit about preparing your space for drying and how important the air drying step is if you want to then kiln dry.

Shannon Rogers hosts Shannon's Lumber Industry Update, a podcast that feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend in a well-stocked workshop. Forget dry industry reports; this is an accessible, engaging dive into the world of wood, framed around the questions real people have. Each episode tackles the practical and the curious, from selecting the right board for a project to unraveling the history and science behind how trees become timber. The goal is to cut through common misconceptions and foster a deeper appreciation for the material that has shaped human civilization. You'll come away not just with answers, but with a sharper, more nuanced understanding of lumber's journey from forest to finished piece. It’s a space where beginners and seasoned woodworkers alike can develop a more intuitive sense for their craft, becoming, as Shannon puts it, a little more wood savvy. Tune in for a consistently informative and surprisingly relaxing listen that makes the complexities of an ancient industry feel relevant and fascinating. This podcast naturally finds its home in the Leisure category, perfect for anyone who enjoys working with their hands or simply wants to understand the stories hidden in the grain.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Shannon's Lumber Industry Update
Podcast Episodes
108 - Koa, Honey Locust, Cherry Veneer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:48
In this episode I feature Koa and talk a bit about Honey Locust, Cherry veneer colors, and then the historical price of Cherry vs Pine.
106 - Featured Species Black Walnut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:37
Questions covered in this show: why is Walnut so thirsty? Sticker Stain? Air dried vs Kiln dried for violin bow making. I cover the featured species: American Black Walnut, my favorite species to work. Finally I spend so…
105 - The Wood Yard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:19
My guest this week is a retail lumber yard in Concord, GA called The Wood Yard. These guys are woodworkers themselves and totally get top notch customer service. I had a great conversation about their business and how th…
104 - Euro Beech and Kiln Drying 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:13
The featured species of the month is European Beech. I discuss all the things and tell stories about this lumber. I talk spalting your own lumber and borax bug treatments. Then a dive into kiln drying lumber and explain…
103 - Emerald Ash Borer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:32
The Emerald Ash Borer or EAB is devastating the Ash forests all across North America. I have Dr. Jeremy Slone of Bartlett Tree Experts as a guest to talk about this pest and what is happening to the Ash trees.
102 - Board Foot Estimation, Lumber Margins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:35
This episode of the podcast discusses board foot rulers, lumber margins, and plantation management. Ultimately who gets to buy what lumber is based heavily on the demand and where you buy the material in the supply chain…
101 - Harvest Lumber Co [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:51
Today I talk to Kris Burns from Harvest Lumber Co in Austin, TX. Harvest Lumber is getting logs from the city of Austin. They maintain a retail showroom and have a log pickup and sawing service. https://www.harvestlumber…
100 The Journey of a Board [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:36
For my 100th episode it seemed fitting to discuss the long and muddy road of a board. From a tree in a forest somewhere in the world to a rough logging road to sawmill to truck to maybe even a ship at sea. The number of…
99 - Wood in Aviation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:51
This time I discuss the featured species of the month: Black Cherry and then dive into the deep topic of wood in the aviation industry. My guest Alex LaFavre is a pilot and works in the aviation industry and he shares al…
LU98  GoodWoodsLumber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:06
In this episode I welcome Josh Wertz from Good Woods Lumber LLC on the show to talk about his sawmill operation. We spend a good amount of time talking about his vacuum kilns and get into details on the perceived stabili…