Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Simplified Guidelines to Hardwood Lumber Grading

Informally Refereed

Abstract

All native hardwood lumber is graded according to the rules established by the National Hardwood Lumber Association. The rules are complete and detailed so that they permit accurate lumber grading with a minimum of personal judgment. To the student lumber grader, the many fine points and exceptions by species are often confusing and hide the basic rules of standard lumber grades . This short course emphasizes the basic requirements for grading hardwood lumber on the proportion of clear pieces that can be cut from a board. Once these requirements are mastered, practice grading and continued study of the Rule Book will give the novice an appreciation of hardwood lumber grading. For information on construction grading, special grading, e tc., see the Rule Book.

Many people who work with lumber every day do not know specifically how to grade it. Sawyers, edgermen , trim saw operators, cut-up men in furniture plants, lumber purchasing agents, and many others in similar positions, need to have a good knowledge of basic lumber grades , even though they may never grade a car or truck of lumber. This course is designed to simplify lumber grading to the point where many people can acquire an understanding of the grades and be able to apply standard grades to individual boards. The course is not intended to be used in training lumber inspectors or to serve as a substitute for the official rules .

Citation

Smith, Walton R. 1967. Simplified Guidelines to Hardwood Lumber Grading. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina 28802, 1967 (Reprinted January 1989)
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/436