The industry uses annually 780,000,000 board feet of first quality hardwood cut from virgin stands of timber.
Red gum and white oak are the hardwoods most in demand.

In the Lake States, a branch of the veneer industry which uses maple, birch and basswood is located.

Oak formerly was the most important wood used.

Now red gum has replaced the oak, as the supplies of the latter timber have dwindled.

At present there is less than one-fourth of a normal supply of veneer timber in sight.