157 - Roots of Terror

157 - Roots of Terror

Author: Shannon Rogers October 16, 2025 Duration: 21:33
Happy Halloween! Let's explore some lumber and tree lore from around the world and some spooky tales that may make you think twice before you cut down that tree or plane that board for your next project.

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
97 - Oregon Myrtle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
Today I'm talking about drying vertically, making a fender, and highlighting Oregon Myrtle as my species of the episode.
96 - Spruce is the Wright Species [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:26
Let me apologize in advance for the title pun. In this episode I discuss my trip to Kitty Hawk and the Wright Bros memorial. Of course I find a way to make it about the lumber chosen to build an airplane. Then there is a…
95 - Really Really Old Wood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:29
Today we talk about Cypress for window construction and other alternatives like modified wood or stave core construction. Then we talk about really old wood and how it holds up after 1000 years like the oldest door in th…
94 - EAB Good News, Log Scaling, and Exotic Dust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:13
Today I share some feedback from listeners and discuss some Russian plywood, EAB, Exotic wood dust, drying for bugs, and the role of the log scaler.
93 - Can An Oak Set Legal Precedent? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:23
In this episode we talk about a famous Oak tree setting a legal precedent, possibly the largest tree ever, killing bugs in the wood, jointers at the lumber yard, and finally, roasted Poplar. What is it and what is the de…
92 - Lumber Dries Faster than You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:53
I dive into my inbox and answer some questions on this episode. Including several questions about drying lumber, Wenge, and rift & quarter sawing.
91 - Mobile Sawing with Sedmak Custom Contracting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:28
Today Jacob Sedmak joins me to talk about the business of mobile sawing. Both from the homeowner and sawyer's perspectives. There are some great tips for working with a sawyer and how to be prepared for the sawing day in…
90 - North Pole Lumber Sourcing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:01
Have you ever considered the volume of lumber that Santa's Workshop must go through in a given year? What kinds of woods do they source and why. Moreover how would they source all that wood sustainably and yet still main…
89 - CITES CoP19 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:39
A general look at how CITES operates and the lumber results of the CoP19 with a focus on proposals 44, 48-51 relating to Pernambuco, Ipe, Cumaru, Padauk and Khaya.
88 - Reclaimed Lumber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:16
Today I have two guest who are experts in the reclaimed woods market. Alan Solomon of SawKill Lumber in Brooklyn, NY and Klaas Armster of Armster Reclaimed Lumber Co. This was a treat to not only talk about the types of…