Close-up of pieces of lumber.

B.C. coastal species and lumber grades

Photo credit: Michael Bednar
Cover of B.C. Coastal Species and Lumber Grades guide with an image of several pieces of lumber varying in sizes.

Quality British Columbia coastal forest products

British Columbia (B.C.) is recognized as a global leader in sustainable forest management and provides customers around the world with an array of quality forest products. B.C.’s coast forest region covers 16.5 million hectares and has five commercially available coniferous species, each with its own unique characteristics. Due to the temperate climate conditions and longer harvest rotation, the trees tend to be larger than those in the interior of the province. B.C. softwood species are strong and resilient, with aesthetic properties that are suitable for a wide range of applications, including framing, flooring, timber frame construction, doors, windows, joinery and furniture, bridge, dock and marine uses.

Download our complimentary B.C. coastal species and lumber grades book, an easy-to-use reference guide that includes at-a-glance descriptions, illustrations and full-page photos of coastal species and their primary grade characteristics. While it speaks generally to grades, it is not a grading manual. It is intended to support high-level discussion and education in export markets.

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