Canadian Commercial Species Combinations



Species combinations Abbreviations Species included
in combinations
Physical characteristics Color ranges
Spruce-Pine-Fir S-P-F Spruce (all species
except Coast sitka spruce),
Jack pine, Lodgepole pine, Balsam fir,
Alpin fir
-light weight
-work easily
-takes paint well
-holds nails well
-small knots
white to
pale yellow
Douglas Fir-Larch D Fir-L (N) Douglas fir Western larch -high degree of hardness
-good resistance
to decay
-holds nails well
reddish brown
to yellowish brown
Hem-Fir(north) Hem-Fir(N) Western hemlock
Amabilis fir
-works easily
-takes paint well
-holds nails well
yellow
brown to white
Northern Species North Species Western red cedar -exceptional resistance
to decay
-high in appearance
qualities
-works easily
-takes fine finishes
reddish
brown
heartwood,
light sapwood
Northern Species North Species Red Pine -works easily ressish to pale
brown heartwood
Northern Species North Species Ponderosa pine -takes finish well
-holds nails well
-holds screws well
-seasons with little
checking or cupping
pale yellow sapwood
Northern Species North Species Western white pine
Eastern white pine
-softest of Canadian Pines
-works easily
-finishes well
-holds nails well
-low shrinkage
almost white sapwood, creamy white to light straw brown heartwood
Northern Species North Species Eastern Hemlock -holds nails well
-glues easily
-takes paint well
reddish-brown tinge to a lighter hue
Northern Species North Species Trembling aspen
Largetooth aspen
Balsam poplar
-works easily
-finishes well
-holds nails well
almost white to greyish-white