U.S. lumber output highest in decade

A surge in western output, combined with an all-time high in southern production, pushed total US softwood lumber output to its highest level of the 1990's. The 36.68 billion board feet of output was the highest total recorded since the 37.54 billion feet produced in 1989 and was the fourth straight annual increase. According to preliminary figures compiled by the Western Wood Products Association, western output jumped 7.6% last 1999, to 17.75 billion feet from 16.49 in 1998. Output at Coast mills showed the largest gain, an 11.5% jump.