Major North American Lumber Species
More than 90% of dimension lumber used in North America comes from four
commercial species groups: Spruce-Pine-Fir, Douglas Fir-Larch, Hem-Fir,
and Southern Pine. The abbreviations shown on grade stamps are as follows:
| Major Species Combinations | Canadian | U.S. |
| Spruce-Pine-Fir | S-P-F | S-P-F[S] |
| Douglas Fir-Larch | D.Fir-L[N] | D.Fir-L |
| Hem-Fir | Hem-Fir[N] | Hem-Fir |
| Southern Pine | - | SYP |
Canadian Species Groups
For convenient specification and use, all Canadian softwood species groups:
Spruce-Pine-Fir [S-P-F], Douglas Fir-Larch [N], and Hem-Fir [N], and Northern
Species. Individual species within each spevies group have similar strength
and appearance.
Grade Stamps for the Northern Species group typically bear the names of the
individual species within the group (such as red pine, white pine, eastern
hemlock and western red cedar) rather than the name of the species group.
All other species groups, however, are usually identified by the group name.
The Canadian Forest
Covering nearly half of Canada's land area of 2.5 billion acres, the
Canadian forest offers ample opportunity for tourism, parks, and the provision
of forest products. This massive resource accounts for 15% of the world's
softwood timerb from which Canada produces 11% of the world's lumber.
Canadian softwood lumber is an important export, particularly to the United
States which obtains about one third of its lumber requirements from Canada.
Forestry is such a substantial industry in Canada that it is of particular importance that the forest be capable of providing products on a substantial and perpetual basis. The Canadian forest industry is a world leader in forest management techniques, improved recovery in lumber manufacturing, waste reduction, and new products that maximise resources and species.
In 1996, Canada became the first country in the world to have a national standard for Sustainable Forestry Management developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) through an open and inclusive process. To be granted forestry certification under the standard, companies must demonstrate forest management systems based on long term environmental objectives.