Spruce-pine-fir (SPF) is a classification of lumber that can be Trade on commodities exchanges.
In Canada, and parts of the United States, most of the Spruce, Pine, and Fir 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.
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.
Western SPF species generally grow faster and larger, but Eastern SPF species are generally stronger.
It consists of the following species:
Random-length lumber Futures contract and options are traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and western SPF is the type of lumber specified in the trading specs. The term random length is used because even though all the boards are 2x4s, the lengths can be between .
It consists of the following species:
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