Microcourse information

An individual hardwood tree’s value is determined by not only the species and volume, but also by log grade of individual logs. The amount of defect-free, clear wood within a particular log determines the grade. Typically, higher grade sawlogs, such as veneer and stave, will break a greater price per volume. Individual boards are graded by National Hardwood Lumber Association guidelines and then separated to be used for different commercial wood products. This microcourse will present a general overview of hardwood product classes, the US Forest Service process for grading standing timber, NHLA guidelines for grading lumber, discussion of internal and external log defects, sawn board defects, and pricing comparison between grades. This microcourse focuses primarily on species found in the southern and mid-Atlantic eastern states of the United States, but lessons can be applied across the US.

Is this microcourse for you?

This microcourse is intended for foresters, natural resource professionals, or anyone interested in learning how to approximate value hardwood trees/logs and products that may be derived from these raw resources. The information presented will be of strong importance to those involved in the hardwood industry in the southern and eastern United States. 

Open registration

Registration remains open through August 22, 2024.

$24 for SAF Members

$39 for Non-members

Join SAF today to save $20 on your microcourse registration and to take advantage of SAF's growing member benefits including here on ForestEd.

Microcourse start date

Microcourse content will be accessible starting August 22, 2023.

Microcourse access 

Microcourse access will remain open through August 22, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET unless notified otherwise. 

Microcourse pace

This microcourse is self-paced with an expected completion time of just over 1 hour. There are 4 sections, which are intended to be completed over the course of 2 weeks.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this short microcourse, you will be able to:

1. Summarize National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) lumber grading rules.

2. Describe log grades (veneer, stave, #1, etc.), the standing timber grading process, log defect identification, and hardwood grading pricing.

Rubric

Successful completion of the microcourse is measured by your ability to complete each component and passing the quiz at the end of each section.  The passing score for the quiz is 100%. You have unlimited attempts to pass the quiz.  

Microcourse Evaluation

Participant feedback is appreciated to help the microcourse curators and subject matter experts continually improve the microcourse for future participants.

CFEs

Upon successful completion of this microcourse, you will earn 1 CFEs in Category 1. CFEs will automatically be added to your CFE record located on www.eforester.org.

Certificate

Upon successful completion of this microcourse and microcourse evaluation, participants may download and print a certificate verifying completion of the microcourse and earning CFEs. CFEs will be uploaded to participant CFE records by the end of the day (11:59 pm ET).

Get Started or Return to Place in Microcourse

Once you are registered for the microcourse, access this microcourse within your MY DASHBOARD. You can pause at any point during the microcourse and you can return right where you last left off. Simply select where you last left off and then keep on working your way through the microcourse.

Microcourse Resources

Additional microcourse resources are available within the Contents tab.

Need Help?

For ForestEd questions, visit FAQs or email ForestEdSupport@safnet.org. For questions about this microcourse's content email Stephen Peairs at speairs@clemson.edu. For technical assistance, go to help.commpartners.com for self troubleshooting and/or live chat, or you can email ForestEdSupport@safnet.org.

Refund

This is a non-refundable item. Please view FAQs for additional information.