| SAWLOGS AND VENEER LOGS Sawlogs are those logs that are large enough to be swan directly into lumber, boards, planks, etc. The very best of these logs, ones that are large, smooth, and with almost no knots or imperfections, and cut into veneer. Veneer is, technically, a very thin layer of wood of superior value or excellent grain which is glued to an inferior wood, particle board, or some such thing. In the end, the wood has the appearance of solid wood, when in fact the veneer lumber is only a piece of thin veneer overlying wood of lesser quality. There were once four veneer plants operating in the UP, but decreasing supplies of high quality logs and stiff foreign competition have been responsible for the loss of these plants. This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission. One copy may be printed for personal use. Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions. |