SUNY ESF
Wood Utilization Service
Dr. William B. Smith, Director
315-470-6832
The Wood Utilization Service is the oldest public service and demonstration effort of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. It was established in 1913 to carry out activities which facilitate and encourage the most efficient processing, manufacture, marketing and use of wood, the premier renewable, sustainable, economical and environmentally beneficial construction, building, and manufacturing material.
Services provided include advising, answering questions, consulting, testing, demonstrations and use of ESF's unique wood processing and testing facilities. Typical clients include the general public, business and industry, and various government agencies and professional associations. Issues and products can range from the manufacture of high quality hardwood lumber, millwork, furniture and flooring, to baseball bats, utility poles, and pressure treated lumber. Several examples of recent services provided include assisting with wood shrinkage and moisture issues in furniture production, IPPC ISPM compliant international shipping, storage of kiln-dried lumber, wood identification, improving production processes and yields, preservative treatments and wood performance, wood deterioration, best kiln drying of maple, oak, pine and other species, and use of locally manufactured lumber.
College faculty and Wood Utilization Service staff are also active in professional associations including such as:
- Empire State Forest Products Association
- New England Kiln Drying Association
- Forest Products Society
- Society of Wood Science and Technology
- American Wood Protection Association
- National Hardwood Lumber Association
- International Research Group on Wood Protection
- Northeast Retail Lumber Association
- Penn-York Lumbermens Club
The Wood Utilization Service also organizes and sponsors an annual Kiln Drying Workshop: Drying Quality Lumber for Profit.