LU158 Ponderosa

LU158 Ponderosa

Author: Shannon Rogers October 30, 2025 Duration: 55:19
Today I feature the mighty Ponderosa Pine. I was marveling at these trees on a recent trip out west and knew I had to feature the species. A mainstay of the construction lumber industry often labelled as PP/LP on lumber racks. But also a species with a different life in the form of clear boards in moulding, interior flooring, paneling, etc. The species is fire propagating and is a perfect example of how healthy forest management needs a little fire from time to time. The Beetle Kill Pine is the result of weak forests without natures cleaning mechanism. Ponderosa is a yellow pine but a pale version of yellow pine both in appearance but in workability with softer and less difference between early and late growth. It makes for a more uniform working experience with planing, sawing or cutting joinery. Also in this episode I answer questions about: - Kiln Drying schedules to reduce trial and error when drying lumber - How pulp wood forests no longer destined to a paper mill could be turned into saw timber forests. - Typical construction lumber species in the 1920s in the NE United States

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
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…
169 - Pacific Madrone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 o…
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…
167 Black Locust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:59
Today I feature Black Locust and talk about how it was/is used for tree nails, how it resists rot for a hundred years in ground contact and how it invades and colonizes the soil around it for total world domination. Its…
166 Irish Woods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:25
With St Patricks Day upon us I wanted to look at the traditional Irish woods and what they are used for an how they are sourced. This is not a country we think of when it comes to lumber but there is a long history or tr…
165 Zelkova [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:09
Zelkova lumber is starting to become more available as the 1st and 2nd generation of urban planting in the wake of the Dutch Elm blight is maturing and urban sawyers are finding more Zelkova in their inventories. This tr…
164 History of Drying Lumber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:40
We have been drying lumber for thousands of years and in this episode I look into how it was done and how it evolved into the kilns we use today. Plus a look forward and innovations in drying tech. Most importantly thoug…
163 Red Alder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:36
Red Alder has increased in popularity substantially from its "junk tree" status and now shows up in cabinetry, floors, guitars and even saunas. Listen as I dive deep on the merits of this underrated hardwood. Also in thi…
162 - Driftwood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:31
This time I dive into the driftwood trade. This is a nearly 3 billion dollar global industry that I never knew was even a thing. Now I see driftwood everywhere. Plus I talk about log pricing, Oak staining, and freeze dri…