PHYSICAL FACTORS 

 Weathering ability 



Appearance 



Strength 



specification 



Special uses 



Moisture content 



Conformance 

 to grade 



Volume available 

 in grade 



Sizes and 



lengths available 



Quality of 

 manufacture 



Index 



FIGURE 21. INDEX OF RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL FACTORS 

 AFFECTING THE PURCHASE OF SOFTWOOD LUMBER BY RETAIL YARDS. 



Weatlirrin<j, aliility, aj)j)rarance and ^trrngth specification arc lca>t im- 

 portant as considerations affecting purchases. 



Physical factors affecting the purchase of hinihcr from a specific 

 state generally conform to those mentioned above in the order given: 

 however. th<'re are sonu* variations from tliis pattern. ^ ards purchasing 

 easl<'rn hnnher are most influenced hy (piality of manufaiture. Aext in 

 importance are weathering ability and special uses. There are no signifi- 

 cant differences hetween sales vohime classes as to factors influencing 

 purchase of eastern lumher. 



Most retailers reported tliat w<^st<M-n lumber nuM^ts \\\c physical con- 

 dition re<piir«'ments consistently and so it is stocked in volume. 



For yards purchasing southern hnubcr. special uses is tht^ cliici phys- 

 ical factor. Although purchase of southern liMuber is of minor impor- 

 tance throughout the region, quality of manufacture, conformance to 

 grade anil sizes available are reported as lieing next to special uses in 

 physical characteristics most favorable to this lund)er. 



Econoniio Factors 



Economic and institutional factors have mon^ pronounced effects 

 upon patterns of lumber purchased ])y retail yards than do physical char- 

 acteristics. 



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