Beetle Beetle Everywhere, Unless you want to BUY Some.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005 03:55 AM

Denim Pine

You would think that given the Federal and provincial government money that has been floating around, the "value added" dollars and just plain opportunity, that someone would be pumping out the beetle kill wood and selling what surely is one of the finest colored woods in the market in the world today to a waiting world population.

Well that is until you try and buy some. Even though we are located smack dab in the middle of where the stuff is hitting the mills, it's next to impossible to find a nice slice.

Maybe it’s just too easy to simply crank out sticks, two by fours instead of trying to make some T & G, or some other type of beetle killed wood, which, according to many, is in high demand south of the 49th.

There was an effort by a Quesnel couple to get the product marketed as "denim pine" but that went by the way side.

There are lots of valued added mills around but just try and find some of the stuff for feature use, or finishing for your home.

There is a bit in Quesnel, a smaller bit yet in Williams Lake and a tad here in PG.

When you show the stuff to the Americans they simply drool over the product and yet, even though what seems as though half of the province is awash in the stuff, just try and find some.

We argue that we need new markets for our wood, especially beetle wood, and yet when the opportunity is presented someone has really dropped the ball.

Here's a novel idea, before we try to convince the rest of the world "denim pine" is the way to go, why not make a market for it right here in P.G.? We grow it, we cutt it, we mill it... and yes folks we even USE it....

That is one man's opinion.

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Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 03:55 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: Marketing Man on July 26 2005 8:52 AM

I have a pretty good grasp of marketing and have been interested in the developments of this new product for some time. It is amazing how slowly it is being promoted and why there isnt a full blown marketing team working on its potential. We are in a crisis and everyone seems to like to worry about it but do nothing to work with it. Are costs of this wood different than normal wood? If it is in demand then we should be jumping on that. We need to salvage what we can from this mess and marketing would play a big role.

Posted by: gypsy on July 26 2005 10:56 AM

Thousands and thousands of trees have been cut!!! What is happening to this wood if it is not being marketed???? It must be disposed of in some manner-and I can only assume if it is in demand it is being sold. TO WHO and FOR WHAT AMOUNT???? Where is it being trucked to???Is it processed in any manner at its destination point?? There has to be answers??What are they???Better ask some logging truck drivers. They obviously know where it is headed. Who wants it in Prince George???They will have the answers. Find out.
I can tell you the Government knew how serious this could become in the late 1990's. Now that the worst has happened-why is it not logged and marketed immediately. I notice the golf course still has many red trees. Obviously not too concerned about the removal of those. Did they force the residents to remove trees and leave the golf course alone???? Pick and choose removal plan???Do not disrupt the golfers??? Hit the residents??? Will someone please explain what the plan must be? Why is it all kept so quiet??? I hope the mills are not just destroying this wood if it is in demand. Anybody out there know just what the scoop is??? Tell all!!!

Posted by: Chadermando on July 26 2005 7:52 PM

I always thought the role of the Regional Development Office aka Initiatives Prince George was to bring together investors, with entrepreneurs, with marketers, with logistics, with the right people in all levels of government, with contacts in far away markets, and most importantly the ability to bring it all together under a coordinated plan with an emphasis towards nurturing the key critical weak links in the creation of an industry that could self sustain itself.

The resources of all kinds are there, but IMO this region lacks vision and leadership from the economic development team.

IMO it starts with open log sales through log yard auctions within the defined draw areas. A set crown minimum assures the public is fairly compensated. Beyond the minimum the highest bidder buys the resource in an open market.

I think Richie Bros. was talking about something like that a few years ago.

Also who has lamanent technology and how hard is it to train these and other wood working skills required to make a local industry? Would a common marketing umbrella create economic dynamics?

Time Will Tell

Posted by: localman on July 26 2005 10:10 PM

As I understand it, the trouble is that you just can't make enough money doing it. If we're talking dimentional lumber, plywood..the cost benefit isnt there.

For things like furniture/flooring, etc, you'd need to charge as much as if you were making it out of Oak or even Teak...add on top the fact that Pine is a much softer wood, what are you left with?

Business card holders, souveniers???

Am I missing somthing?

Posted by: gypsy on July 27 2005 8:42 AM

Amazing-I get responses and no answers!!! What has become of the thousands of trees just cut down locally???? (Not to mention the millions in the forests). How is the Government planning on the method of using the billions of trees affected to be cut in the forests? Are there any definite proposals, or are we tackling this problem with an on a "wing and a prayer" head shaking attitude? I have heard nothing-the newspapers report nothing, no talk of anything by the public.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE TREES GONE, AND USED FOR WHAT PURPOSE TO DATE???
We bemoan the fact the beetle kill is astronomical, and then we are lead to believe the wood has a higher value due to the discoloration, so where is it going and has this higher value been received? If not-why not?
Are we at the mercy of government "stupidity" once again???

Posted by: SpeakingOut on July 27 2005 3:56 PM

We are not at the mercy of a "stupid" government, of course not!! However, rest assured they have figured it out that there is money to be made here, it is likely they knew this before the problem got as big as it did which is of course why it got as big as it did! Some official somewhere is setting it all up to line his perfectly removed pockets. No worries all, it's being taken care of for sure! A golden money making opportunity like that would never go unnoticed by any politicians in this country! Look deep, they hide it well!

Posted by: Chadermando on July 29 2005 11:35 PM

I can think of wall board, log homes, chop sticks, log fires, ethonal production, cogen opportunities, value added paper production like tollet paper or cardboard, crate production and pallet production, fence post production, telephone poll production, railway tie production, pellet flame, fiber board furniture production, window and door frame production, and all their related industries that this wood would be good for.

Vanderhoof for example has the largest bed frame manufacturing facility in the world. Currently L&M is undergoing a major expansion.