In a world where aesthetics are the most important element of a space, people often find themselves drawn to hardwood products despite their price tags.

The process of manufacturing hardwood is labor-intensive, especially if it is done the right way.

Let’s dive into hardwood products and why they are worth every dollar.

Factors that Affect the Price of Hardwood

Hardwood products are more expensive than alternatives for several reasons.

Wood Species

Hardwood species have different characteristics, availability, demand, and quality. For example, if a hardwood species is seen in a celebrity house and is aesthetically pleasing, it can cause a cultural trend, which impacts demand, availability, and price.

Grade and Quality

All industries have regulations and standards that are in place to set the bar for specifications and procedures for materials, products, methods, and services that we rely on every day, which are consistent and reliable. The National Hardwood Lumber Association created hardwood regulations to ensure hardwood lumber is uniform during production.

Each board of hardwood manufactured at Gutchess Lumber is inspected a minimum of four times by trained graders following NHLA grading guidelines, ensuring that we are producing the highest-quality hardwood possible.

Market Demand and Supply

Fluctuations in hardwood demand can influence prices. Shortages or surpluses of hardwood species can also affect market prices and availability. When the need for wood materials and products exceeds the supply, the cost will rise. A delicate balance between supply and demand directly influences hardwood prices.

Demand is heavily influenced by construction activity.

Transportation and Import Costs

Transporting hardwoods to other markets involves various expenses, such as shipping, handling, and import duties. Some hardwood species are only found in specific regions around the world, which will also increase the price of the final product.

Gutchess Lumber has exported its real American hardwood products worldwide for 100 years, and we know every aspect of shipping.

Labor Costs

Skilled laborers are required to manage forests, harvest timber, transport logs, and manufacture, dry, and ship hardwood products. Hardwood is a natural material, so it is more difficult to process. The labor and skills needed to process hardwood and the need for heavy machinery contribute to its high costs.

At Gutchess, our products come from well-managed forests and timberlands in the northeast, several of which we have owned and managed ourselves for generations. We employ a team of over 40 foresters who have a combined experience of 250 years. Costs come with experience, and the team needed to ensure our hardwood is responsible and sustainable. A cost we believe is one hundred percent worth it. We hope you do, too.

Our process starts with the boards being sawn in our modern band mills, dried in our state-of-the-art kilns, and inspected by highly skilled and well-trained lumber inspectors at least four times, green and dry, to ensure accurate grade and tally, consistent quality, and maximum yield. This process requires skilled workers with extensive knowledge of hardwood and sawmills.

Seasonality and Weather Conditions

Weather and environmental conditions can impact tree growth and harvesting, which directly influences the availability and price of hardwood. Unpredictable natural events, such as wildfires, droughts, and pest infestations, can damage forests and result in a scarce supply that increases prices.

FUN FACT: The emerald ash borer (EAB) is slowly causing the Ash hardwood species to die out. This invasive beetle has killed nearly 100% of ash trees infested with EAB. Specialists predict that the EAB will cause the Ash hardwood species to become extinct. The Ash species is commonly used for baseball bats, flooring, furniture, lumber, and pallet manufacture.

A region’s climate directly relates to the health and productivity of its hardwood production. Regions with stable conditions and temperatures, a healthy amount of precipitation, and lots of sunlight are more suitable for tree growth, which is why the Northeastern region of the United States is the ideal region for souring hardwood that goes into making products. When predictable climates occur, the manufacturing process of hardwood can become more efficient.

Since 1904, Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc. has produced the finest quality northern hardwood lumber through our vertically integrated manufacturing facilities across New York and Pennsylvania. Each of our hardwood species is native to the northeast United States. This means we can control the process from harvest to order fulfillment while keeping our operations sustainable by only harvesting within 150 miles of each of our 7 locations.

The Most Common Hardwood

The most common hardwood varies by region, but globally Oak is most common hardwood. The American Hardwood Information Center found that 52% of American Hardwoods are oak, growing mostly in New England to Mississippi. American hardwoods typically grow in the Eastern part of the country due to soil types and nutrients, moisture, earth, and sunlight. American hardwood forests are responsible for providing hardwood for products like cabinets, flooring, millwork, and furniture. Red and White Oak are commonly used for these products and are the most abundant in the United States.

At Gutchess Lumber, we specialize in sourcing Northern Red Oak from forests within a 100-mile radius of our New York and Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities. Unlike southern Red Oak, which commonly has discoloration and other issues, our true Northern Red Oak offers a consistent color profile and grain that rivals White Oak.

 

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How to Find Your Perfect Hardwood

Using hardwood offers beauty, durability, and value.

Research: Research different types of hardwoods and their characteristics. Understand the pros and cons of each type, what they are used for typically, and their sustainability and durability.

Visit Suppliers: Visit local sawmills, woodworking stores, or specialty suppliers to see and feel the hardwood in person. Each hardwood species has its own unique feel and look, so you will get a sense of its appearance and quality.

Consult Experts: Talk to woodworkers, carpenters, architects, or hardwood sales representatives in your area who can offer advice based on their experience and knowledge. They will also know what wood is most affordable in your region and which will work best for the product you want to create or buy.

Testing the Product: If it is available, try to purchase a small sample of the hardwood you are looking at and test for workability, finishing, and appearance for your specific needs.

Evaluate Options: Compare the hardwoods based on your research and tests, budget, and consider all the factors like durability, aesthetics, and sustainability before creating your product.

The type of hardwood will depend on what product you are creating. William Walker, a woodworker, made recommendations on what woods are best based on products and projects.

The Value of Hardwood and Why it’s Worth It

Hardwood is a valuable material that is durable, timeless, adaptable, and sustainable, making it a top choice for products and projects of all kinds. It continues to prove to be a great investment based on its lifespan, maintenance over time, and the ability to refinish and repair it. It comes in a variety of colors and finishes, bringing any project or product to life. If you choose hardwood, you invest in a material that offers value and sustainability, making it worth the cost.

For high-quality hardwood, Gutchess is committed to providing the best of the best hardwood species. Use our interactive map to locate your region’s dedicated sales representative today.

Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc. is a leading producer of North American forest products, with seven lumber yards and manufacturing plants located in New York and Pennsylvania. The company takes advantage of the abundant prime North American timber in the region to provide high-quality lumber products to its customers. Gutchess Lumber has been a well-established hardwood lumber manufacturer in business for over a century. Founded in 1904, the company has built a reputation for providing high-quality hardwood forest products to customers worldwide. As a fifth-generation led and employee-owned company, Gutchess Lumber is committed to maintaining its position as a leader in the industry for years to come.

Responsible forest products

Sustainability is a crucial aspect of Gutchess Lumber’s operations. The company is committed to responsible forestry practices, harvesting timber from responsibly managed forests, and using state-of-the-art manufacturing processes that minimize waste and reduce its environmental impact. Gutchess Lumber controls the manufacturing process from the forest through shipping to customers. From harvesting logs to delivering hardwood forest products, the company controls every aspect of the process to ensure the highest quality products for its customers. Watch as logs are added to the log yard at Gutchess Lumber’s Cortland, New York headquarters below.

Hardwood forest products

Gutchess Lumber‘s seven lumber yards and manufacturing plants are strategically located across New York and Pennsylvania, providing easy access to world-renowned timberland. The company also has a robust distribution network that enables it to deliver products to customers across North America and worldwide. One of Gutchess Lumber’s key strengths is its ability to provide its customers with a wide range of hardwood products. The company manufactures and exports hardwood forest products worldwide, including Black Cherry lumber, Hard Maple lumber, Northern Red Oak and White Oak lumber, and other Northern hardwood species. Gutchess Lumber’s products are used in various applications, including furniture making, cabinetry, flooring, and more. Read some Gutchess Lumber customer testimonials here.

World-renowned hardwood lumber

One of the critical strengths of Gutchess Lumber is its ability to provide consistent products. The company has a team of sales professionals who work closely with customers to understand their unique requirements and provide tailored solutions. This customer service level has helped establish Gutchess Lumber as a trusted supplier in the industry.

“We have been trading with Gutchess Lumber for at least 20 years,” a hardwood distributor customer in the United Kingdom said. “They have always been reliable, straightforward and their quality always meets expectations. Gutchess Lumber has always delivered on time, as per their contracts and their staff responsible for documentation are very thorough, ensuring that we never have any problems with the import process. We have no hesitation in advising that Gutchess Lumber is an honorable company.”

Produced by employee-owners

As one of the leading producers of North American forest products, Gutchess Lumber prides itself on manufacturing a consistent product. Maintaining strict quality control standards is one of the key benefits of keeping the entire manufacturing process in-house. Each employee at Gutchess Lumber is dedicated to producing a superior hardwood forest product, as they have skin in the game. Gutchess Lumber is an employee stock ownership company, which means employees are company owners. Listen in as sales representative Trudy Burdge talks about the ESOP program in the video below.

In conclusion, Gutchess Lumber is a leading producer of North American forest products, committed to sustainability, high-quality products, and exceptional customer service. Whether you’re a contractor, furniture maker, or packaging manufacturer, Gutchess Lumber has the products and expertise to meet your needs. Use our interactive map to identify your region’s sales representative and get in touch to purchase hardwood from one of the leading producers of North American forest products.

Baseball fans love nothing more than a good homerun record, which New York Yankees star Aaron Judge just knocked out of the park. When someone steps up to the plate and launches one deep into the stands, the crowd goes wild. What’s even more impressive is when a player breaks an existing record. But have you ever wondered what goes into making a bat that can hit a ball so far? The answer is simple: the material. In this post, we’ll explore the history of some of baseball’s biggest home run records and the hardwood bats that were used to set them.

Babe Ruth’s Record-Setting Season

In 1927, Babe Ruth hit a total of 60 home runs, which remained an MLB record for 34 years. That season, Ruth used a Hickory bat. It was an R43 model that was 35 and a half inches long and weighed 38 and a half ounces.

View Gutchess Lumber Hickory hardwood characteristics, grades, and more.

Roger Maris Breaks Ruth’s Record

In 1961, Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth’s record by hitting 61 home runs in a single season. Maris used a 37-inch, 40-ounce piece of Sugar Maple to achieve his feat. Sugar Maple is actually harder than Ash, which is why it’s often used for building floors and furniture instead of bats. Nevertheless, Maris’ bat was up to the task and helped him make history.

Aaron Judge Breaks Maris’ Record

On October 4, 2022, Judge broke the Major League Baseball home run record with a smashing 62 home runs. Judge previously tied Roger Maris’ 61 run record. To accomplish these feats, Judge swung a 35-inch, 33-ounce Maple bat that is made by Chandler Bats.

View Gutchess Lumber Maple hardwood characteristics, grades, and more.

As you can see, hardwood bats have played a big role in Major League Baseball history. Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and Aaron Judge all used hardwood bats to achieve their historic feats. Today, companies craft high-quality hardwood bats for professional and amateur players alike. If you’re looking for the hardwood that makes history, be sure to check out our selection of hardwood lumber products.

Gutchess Lumber Co. Inc., one of the nation’s leading suppliers of hardwood lumber, is excited to announce the expansion of its sales team with the addition of Patrick Semeraro. Patrick began his career with Gutchess Lumber stacking lumber and has worked his way up through the ranks, most recently joining the global kiln-dried lumber sales team as a salesperson. In his new role, Patrick will be responsible for developing relationships with new and existing customers. Here is a glimpse into Patrick’s career since joining Gutchess Lumber:

I began working here at Gutchess in our Cortland facility back in July of 2020, where I started off in the yard stacking lumber. After a short time of stacking, I began to learn how to operate various machines such as the sorter, tilt hoist, and trim saws. While learning the ins and outs of how the yard operates, I was attending our grading classes after work. By January of 2021, I had completed the course and was working on the dryline as a lumber inspector. I continued this for over a year, and in April of 2022, I was hired into my current position as a salesperson with the company.

My entire experience here with Gutchess has been amazing. From being hired to working in the yard, to being in sales, everyone along the way has been more than willing to help me learn and grow with the company. Without their help and knowledge, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am looking forward to my new role with the company and am excited for what the future may hold.

Gutchess Lumber is committed to providing its customers with the best possible products and services. With the addition of Patrick Semeraro to its sales team, the company is well-positioned to continue delivering on that commitment. Welcome to the sales team, Patrick. To find your territory’s sales representative, please use Gutchess Lumber’s interactive map here.

Hardwood production is an interesting process to witness. It’s even more interesting when you get to see it in person. A video can only do so much justice. That’s why Gutchess Lumber Co. Inc is happy to open its doors to students of all ages to see a glimpse of how hardwood is produced. Gutchess Lumber previously welcomed Agriculture Science and Natural Resources students, part of McGraw Central School District’s AIR CTE pathway program, to see what goes on in our Cortland, New York hardwood sawmill.

A Message from McGraw Central School District

The Agriculture Science and Natural Resources classes, both a part of the new AIR CTE pathway, went to Gutchess Lumber on December 17th for a tour of their facilities. We were shown how logs are processed- from being segregated by species out in the yard, being sawed-graded-bundled, to being dried in their kilns. Chris Barber spoke to the students about employment opportunities and what it takes to do the job- the 3 D’s: dependability, durability, and drive. In addition, he explained the whole process of how a log becomes a board and all the technical aspects of each stage of that process. Despite the cold, students and staff enjoyed the tour and learned quite a bit about a world-renowned company right here in our backyard.

The Hardwood Production Process

The first step in hardwood production is harvesting trees. The Gutchess Lumber Natural Resources Department ensures that the mill has a continuous flow of hardwood logs by working with our own land and individual landowners across New York and Pennsylvania to develop responsible forestry management programs. Once the trees are cut down, they are transported to our sawmills where they are then debarked and cut into lumber. The lumber goes through a kiln-drying process where it is dried to a specific moisture content over the course of several weeks or sometimes months. After the lumber is dried, it is ready to be shipped out and used for various purposes.

Common Uses for Hardwood Lumber

Hardwood lumber can be used for a variety of projects, both big and small. Some of the most common uses that Gutchess hardwood goes into making include:

• Furniture making
• Cabinetry
• Flooring
• Molding and trim
• Wood components
• Caskets
• Stair treads

Why Learn About the Hardwood Manufacturing Process?

It’s always beneficial to learn about how things are produced, especially when it’s something that we interact with on a daily basis like hardwood. Seeing the process in person can also be very eye-opening and might even inspire students to pursue a career in this field. There are several career paths that students get introduced to, including forestry and natural resources, material handling, mechanics, electricity, and more. Who knows, maybe one day these students will be the ones running our yard.

Overall, it was great having students from AIR CTE pathway visit our facility and learn about the hardwood production process. If you are a local business or school and are interested in seeing how hardwood is produced or just want to learn more about the industry in general, we highly encourage you to reach out to us to talk about what we can do to help continue learning outside of the workplace or classroom.

Gutchess Lumber Co. Inc is committed to being environmentally responsible and celebrating Environmental Awareness Month is one way we like to show it. This year, we want to focus on raising awareness of responsible forestry practices that help us preserve our forests for future generations.

Forests play a vital role in the health of our planet and its inhabitants. They provide critical habitats for countless species of plants and animals, help regulate our climate, and purify the air we breathe. Responsible forestry practices are essential to maintaining these benefits and ensuring that our forests remain healthy and thriving.

Unfortunately, not all forestry practices are equally beneficial to the environment. In fact, some practices can actually do more harm than good. For example, clear-cutting—the practice of removing all trees from an area—can damage delicate ecosystems and lead to soil erosion and flooding. Unsustainable logging practices can also deplete forests of their valuable timber resources, making it difficult for them to recover.

On the other hand, sustainable forestry practices, which we practice at Gutchess Lumber, such as selective harvesting can help maintain the health of our forests while still providing the hardwood products that the world needs. Selective harvesting allows foresters to remove only certain trees while leaving the rest of the forest intact. This helps to ensure that the forest remains diverse and healthy while the carbon that is absorbed during the trees’ life is stored.

“Those trees otherwise would die and release that carbon directly back into the atmosphere,” Gutchess Lumber President and Chairman Matthew Gutchess explained. “Even better, removal of the overstory allows new trees to grow, which consume carbon out of the atmosphere more efficiently than mature trees. This makes an active working forest a powerful force for mitigation of climate change.”

As we celebrate Environmental Awareness Month, let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of our forests and what we can do to protect them. By choosing products made from responsibly sourced wood and supporting sustainable forestry practices, we can help make sure that our forests remain healthy for generations to come. To learn more about Gutchess Lumber’s commitment to the environment, head over to our environment and sustainability resource center by clicking here.

Founded in 1904, Gutchess Lumber Co. Inc is an employee-owned (ESOP) and family-led business that specializes in the production of superior quality kiln-dried hardwood lumber products. We are one of the largest suppliers of American hardwoods in the United States, with customers all around the world. Our hardwood lumber products are used in a variety of applications including furniture, cabinetry, flooring, millwork, stair treads, and much more.

Gutchess Lumber began in 1904 as a small, regional lumber company serving central New York. George Gutchess started the sawmill business by powering his mill with a wood-fired steam tractor. In the beginning days of Gutchess Lumber, oxen and horses were used to transport lumber across surrounding regions in New York state.

Today, Gutchess Lumber operates out of seven strategically located mills across New York and Pennsylvania, shipping truck loads and container loads of lumber to customers across the United States as well as all over the world. We attribute our success to our commitment to customer satisfaction and our dedication to producing the highest quality product possible.

The Gutchess Lumber Difference

What sets Gutchess Lumber apart from other American hardwood suppliers? Quality control is paramount at our facility; we grade all of our kiln-dried lumber according to the National Hardwood Lumber Association standards. This results in a more stable and consistent product for our global customers. Our lumber comes from prime timberland in the northeastern region of the United States. Our forestry team is dedicated to working with private landowners to develop plans that benefit the environment, meaning that our hardwood lumber products come from well-managed forests that adhere to our responsible forestry management practices.

In addition to producing high-quality lumber, we also pride ourselves on our customer service. Our international sales team members are happy to work with your schedule, no matter where you are in the world, to answer any questions you may have about our product or your order. We know that when you’re buying lumber internationally, time is of the essence; that’s why we work hard to keep lead times as short as possible.

If you’re looking for an American hardwood supplier that you can count on for consistently high-quality lumber, Gutchess Lumber Co. Inc. is the right choice for you. We have been in business for over 100 years and have shipped container loads of lumber to satisfied customers all over the world. Contact your region’s sales representative today to learn more about how our hardwood lumber products can maximize your yields.

As an environmentally conscious company, Gutchess Lumber is committed to doing what it can for the environment. The company is always looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and overall operational management. Gutchess Lumber was recognized by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NSERDA) for these efforts in a report.

Gutchess was excited to take part in the On-Site Energy Manager (OsEM) pilot program offered by NYSERDA. This new initiative offered greater insight into Gutchess’ energy consumption and potential cost-saving opportunities.

“I believe progressive companies will employ energy managers as a key component to controlling costs,” Gutchess Lumber Plant Engineer Ben Stuart said.

The goal of the program was to save around 7.5 percent of Gutchess’ annual electric usage. In the end, the results exceeded that goal. The actual electric savings totaled 10 percent.

Gutchess Lumber has been in operation for over 100 years and is one of the largest private employers in Cortland County and one of the largest hardwood producers in the country. The global hardwood lumber leader has made a commitment to sustainability, finding ways to reduce its environmental impact while still providing high-quality lumber products.

NSERDA is a public benefit corporation that promotes energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy resources. The organization works with businesses, government agencies, and residents of New York State to help save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. NSERDA provides technical assistance and other resources to help achieve these goals.

Gutchess Lumber will continue to look for ways to improve its energy efficiency and overall operational management in order to further reduce its environmental impact. For more on Gutchess Lumber’s stance on the environment and sustainability, click here.