159 Colonial Lumber

159 Colonial Lumber

Author: Shannon Rogers November 12, 2025 Duration: 1:01:10
Today we look at the birth of the timber trade in America. From when the Pilgrims stepped off the Mayflower up until the Revolutionary War. Timber was one of those contributing factors that led to war. We all talk about throwing tea into the harbor, but what about the Pine Tree riots and the Broad Arrow Notices that claimed colonial Pines for the Royal Navy. Happy Thanksgiving as we explore how and what timber was used and exported from early America.

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: 170

Shannon's Lumber Industry Update
Podcast Episodes
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…
87 - CITES Convention is Nigh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:25
Next week the CITES convention opens and I discuss the wood species that have been nominated for Appendix II and I status. I talk about why 2x lumber isn't actual 2x, and then dip into sourcing reclaimed lumber ahead of…
86 - Opportunity Logging Tools [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:56
What tools do you keep in the car for those opportunistic roadside stops to grab a fallen tree or some choice turning blanks? How about choosing a wood species for making wooden hand planes? Both of these topics and seve…
85 - Garrett and the Great Big Oak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:22
Today in our story time circle we talk with Garrett and his adventures with the great big Oak tree that fell outside a local historical home. How he tamed the beast and will be working with Oak lumber for many many years…
84 - Don't Be a Sap, Use that Sapwood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:26
In this episode I talk about sourcing historic woods, rubberwood, Ukrainian woods, and why Walnut and other species have so much sapwood. Plus we learn that younger trees may not sequester as much carbon as we thought.
83 - Buying Lumber from a Dude in the Woods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:02
This time I answer listener questions like: -What to look for when buying lumber from places like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. -Wood movement based on density -Expanding your sawmill to buying lumber -CITES passpo…
82 UVA Sawmilling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:57
UVA Sawmilling is the product of 2 architecture graduates who wanted to put the trees to use that had been felled on campus. Today they are a cross disciplinary "department" that is sawing logs and making the wood availa…
81 Soil chemistry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:40
Soil chemistry plays a major role in the appearance and working characteristics of the lumber we use. In this episode I look at several examples where geology and weather and even mankind have altered a tree species. It…