169 - Pacific Madrone

169 - Pacific Madrone

Author: Shannon Rogers April 29, 2026 Duration: 45:06
In this episode I feature Pacific Madrone. An interesting pinkish-orange hardwood with the same hardnesss of Hard Maple but a lot more character. I also talk about drying Holly and the gunk build up from Olive and many oily woods.

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: 50

Shannon's Lumber Industry Update
Podcast Episodes
178 Sassafras [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:14
The Sassafras was the first North American export. Or rather its roots and bark were as the miracle cure that Europe clamored for. The lumber excitement came much later and was the default for fence posts for farmers unt…
177 - Sticker Stain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:46
Sticker stain is more about the drying technique than the material used for the stickers themselves. Certainly the stickers play a role but the key is getting the lumber below the saturation point quickly to stop oxidiza…
176 Limba [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:46
Limba is sold both as Black Limba and White Limba. It is the same species. Limba is actually more like White Limba and the Black streaks that make Black Limba are more of a form of spalting and staining. Its a species th…
175 - Reclaimed Wood QC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:15
So you want to use reclaimed wood. But where did it actually come from and what kind of nasty might it have been exposed to along the way? In this episode I talk about where reclaimed wood comes from and what potential h…
174 - Accoya [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:09
Accoya is a chemically modified wood to make it water and rot resistant and extremely stable. Not to be confused with chemical treatment like pressure treated pine, the chemical modification or acetylation process is non…
173 - White Pine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:28
The White Pine was the prominent tree across colonial America and it was thought to be an endless supply. Over 600 billion board feet of White Pine was logged after the Revolutionary War until the mid 1800s. When New Eng…
172 -  2x4 Origin Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:15
The 2x4. Its the basic piece of modern stick frame construction. But it is not actually 2" by 4". Many of us know this, but do we know why the size has changed but the name stayed the same. Moreover how did anyone even s…
171 Western Redcedar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:26
Its not actually a Cedar but who cares. Western Redcedar is an amazing exterior wood used in everything form boats to guitars, decks, shingles, siding and pergolas. Its known as the tree of life among the native peoples…
170 - Spalting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:29
Spalting is essential fungal rot in wood. But it is pretty and therefore people seek it out and even go so far as to "grow" their own. In this episode I discuss the 3 types of spalting found in wood and even discuss the…
LU168 DesignStyleWoods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:59
Decorative arts trends are often tied to a particular species of wood. In this episode I discuss how and why certain species become intertwined in a design style. I also answer a question about the dramatic price differe…