SOUTHERN WOOD CONVERSION FACTORS AND RULES OF THUMB

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Wood and Log  Volume Conversion Factors
Southern Averages	

		(Use for approximations only)
		Approximate Weight Conversions
	One standard cord of pine pulpwood (128 cubic feet) =
	5,350 pounds (range: 4,700 - 5550) or 2.675 tons
	
	One standard cord of hardwood pulpwood (128 cubic feet) =
	5,800 pounds (range:5,400 - 6,075) or 2.90 tons
	
	One thousand board feet of pine sawtimber (Scribner ) =
	15,000 pounds (range:14,000-18,000 lbs.) or 7.5 tons
	
	One thousand board feet of hardwood sawtimber (Doyle) =
	17,500 pounds (range:15,000-19,000 lbs.) or 8.75 tons
	
	One cord of chips weighs approximately 2.5 tons or 5,000 pounds
	One MBF, lumber scale, yields 1.20 tons, green chips
	One MBF, Doyle scale, yields 1.60 tons, green chips
	The ratio of pine pulpwood to pine sawtimber weight is 2.8 cords to 1 mbf
	The ratio of hardwood pulpwood to hardwood sawtimber weight is 3.0 cords to 1 mbf

		Approximate Cubic Foot Conversions
	1 Standard Cord = 128 cubic feet of stacked volume
	1 Solid Content Cord = 80 cubic feet of solid wood and bark (range: 60 - 95)
	1 cunit = 100 cubic feet of solid wood
	1 thousand board feet (mbf)  = 183 cubic feet  (range: 160 to 220)
	A factor of 5.5 board feet per cubic foot is recommended for general use
	A factor of 6.0 board feet per cubic foot for chip-n-saw
	Board foot/cubic foot relationships of 5:1 or 6:1 are recommended for rough conversions
	A cubic meter contains 35.3 cubic feet

		Approximate Log Rule Conversions
	Convert Scribner to Doyle ...Multiply by .72					Convert International to Doyle ...Multiply by .63
	Convert Doyle to Scribner...Multiply by 1.39					Convert Doyle to International...Multiply by 1.60
	Convert Scribner to International...Multiply by  1.14
	Convert International to Scribner...Multiply by .875

		Approximate Cord to Board Foot Conversions
	One thousand board feet of Pine = 2.8 cords
	One thousand board feet of Hardwood = 3.0 cords
	One cord of softwood = 415 board feet
	One cord of hardwood = 420 board feet

		Approximate Pieces 
	One cord of softwood = 135 posts
	One cord of hardwood = 130 posts
	One pole = 145 board feet or 26 cubic feet (class 4-45)
	One pallet = 20 board feet
	One skid = 70 board feet
	One handle blank = 1.8 board feet
	60 whiskey barrel staves = one cord
	1.25 square feet veneer = one board feet
	One mine or cross tie = 45 board feet
	One switch tie = 60 board feet


Sources:

Forest Measurments						Definitions:
Converting Factors for Southern Pine Products	Standard Cord = 4'x4'x8' rick of wood including air space and bark
Service Foresters Handbook			Board Foot = 1"x12"x1' plank
Timber Mart-South, Inc.				MBF = one thousand board feet
						Log Rule = a method of determining the net yield of a log
						Cubic Foot = a 12"x12"x12" solid cube