Pictured here is the comparison of two 2 x 4 wood studs. It shows the difference between old growth wood vs. new growth wood. The old growth piece is from 1918. It has 60 rings and is much stronger and insect resistant than the 2018 piece. The new growth piece is much weaker than the old piece. It has 16 rings, a high moisture content, is much weaker than the older board and much more susceptible to insect damage.
Today’s Timber isn’t what it used to be. Each ring symbolizes a complete calendar season, marking the passage of time and growth. Wood density is one reason why century-old houses still stand proudly, in contrast to the newer wood structures being erected today. The rush to harvest trees for rapid production has resulted in a decline in quality, durability and resilience of today’s wood.
Old growth lumber has greater strength and density than new growth materials. Also the slow growth rate produced natural anti-rot characteristics. Most of what is called old growth lumber is actually second or third generation old growth lumber (up too 120 years old). Most of the virgin, first generation, trees (300-600 years old) where cut down by 1930.
