Hi Suzy,
I’m working on a storage shed in the backyard. I’d kind of like to use some
wooden siding. I’m not fond of those 4′ x 8′ sheets of pressed board. Do you
have any advice for materials? Frame it up with pine, and put some redwood
siding up? Where’s a good place to get redwood? — John
M.
Dear John,
Just call me Knee Jerk. Every time I see redwood mentioned for construction
projects, a vision of those silent giants in the Redwood National Forest, with
shafts of sunlight penetrating their canopy just like on some schlocky greeting
card, leaps into my mind’s eye and blocks all rational thought processes. I
tried to remain objective, however, and called around looking for the good word
on redwood. I wanted to find some that was sustainably harvested. The fellows I
talked with at two lumberyards in town that specialize in redwood were not much
help. I kept questioning them about how the lumber was harvested and where it
came from and they kept talking about grading standards and the names of the
mills where they get the wood and that all redwood is “new growth.” I felt like
I was debating the spokesmen for Philip Morris. Then Jim Harrington, the buyer
for Stripling Blake, gave me the most honest answer of the day: “I don’t know.”
But he did put me in contact with Cari at Lee Roy Jordan in Conroe who has
promised to send me “more information about redwood than you’d ever want.” She
did say, “I can’t tell you where the lumber comes from. It could be from
private lands or a national park. But I can tell you that for every tree that’s
cut down, five more are planted.” I’m going to reserve judgment until I get all
the information, yet the notion that one of the big guys goes down only to be
replace by five little twigs gives me and my jumpy knee little comfort. But I
know what you mean about the 4′ x 8′ sheets. Yuk. How about this idea:
stucco! You buy this 2′ x 8′ foot stuff that’s like outdoor gyp board (just cut
it with a utility knife) and then you staple wire lathe on it (cheese grater
material) and smear on two or three coats of a mix of white portland, sand, and
water. Very snappy. And lord, what a work-out, but it’s still easier than
replanting a giant redwood.
And writing me is even easier at Suzebe@aol.com or PO Box 49066,
Austin, TX 78765.
This article appears in December 1 • 1995 and December 1 • 1995 (Cover).