F.H. Stoltze Lumber to produce CLT from small-diameter timber

Northwest Montana’s F.H. Stoltze Lumber Co. is embarking on a joint venture using small-scale CLT and wood fiber insulation.

Company officials know it is essential to have higher-value products coming from small trees, many of which will have long-lived carbon storage, to have healthy, resilient forests. The company is developing and testing small-scale, cross-laminated products from the tree species in their ecosystem.

Stoltze crews will be able to saw logs down to 2 inches in diameter. Further down the line, the company wants to produce wood-fiber insulation, rigid board, batt and blown-in insulation made from the sawdust and chipped wood residues.

These products can speed up construction time and reduce wood waste on construction sites. After surviving 109 years, Stoltze’s goal is to survive and thrive for another 109.