Spruce-pine-fir (SPF) is a classification oflumber that can betraded oncommodities exchanges.
InCanada, and parts of theUnited States, most of thespruce tree species,pine tree species, andfir tree species share similar physical and mechanical characteristics, to the point where lumber derived from any of these species are interchangeable for construction purposes. Therefore, it makes sense to harvest and process them together, and sell them as one product.[1]
On some exchanges, there are different prices for Eastern and Western SPF varieties, and the price of Eastern SPF is generally higher than the price of Western SPF. When both types are sold together, the term Composite SPF is used. There is also utility-grade SPF, which is the lowest and cheapest grade.[2]
Western SPF species generally grow faster and larger, but Eastern SPF species are generally stronger.[1]
Western SPF comes from the Canadian provinces ofBritish Columbia andAlberta, and the US states ofCalifornia,Idaho,Montana,Nevada,Oregon,Washington, andWyoming.
It consists of the following species:
Random-length lumberfutures andoptions are traded on theChicago Mercantile Exchange, and western SPF is the type of lumber specified in the trading specs.[3] The termrandom length is used because even though all the boards are 2x4s, the lengths can be between 2.4 and 6.1 metres (8 and 20 ft).
Eastern SPF comes from the Canadian provinces ofSaskatchewan,Manitoba,Ontario,Quebec,New Brunswick,Nova Scotia, andNewfoundland and Labrador.
It consists of the following species: