If you've not traveled through the forested regions of the Inland Northwest, you might be surprised at how many timber mills are in the area. I live in Northern Idaho and not far from my home there are at least 8 such lumber processing plants. In the small town I live in, the largest employer is a plant the exclusively makes cedar fencing pickets.
I came across this timber mill while traveling through Montana this past summer. It was in a beautiful setting, and I thought worthy of some photos. This is Sun Mountain Lumber, a family-owned company based in Deer Lodge. As you can see in the above photo, the finished product appears to be solid studs to be used in construction. This wood is shipped throughout the United States. There is great demand for timber, which is a renewable resource.
I am astounded by the thousands of cut trees you see curing in these places. Acres and acres of them -- pine, fir, larch and cedar. During the hot weather, the trees are heavily watered to prevent cracking of the wood.
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