Clear Vertical Grain Douglas Fir

Vertical Grain Douglas Fir Clear lumber, also known as CVG (Clear Vertical Grain), is produced by quarter-sawing the log so the growth rings run nearly vertical to the face of the board. This cutting method results in a straight, consistent grain pattern and exceptional dimensional stability, making it ideal for exposed finish applications where a clean, virtually defect-free appearance is required. At Ghent Wood Products, we carefully select our vertical grain Douglas Fir from clear export grade lumber, often called 85/15 - we require a dense, tight grain with a fine, uniform texture. The result is lumber with exceptional character and a refined, architectural look.

Our vertical grain Douglas Fir is carefully kiln-dried to 10-12% moisture content, fully equalized and conditioned for reliable performance. We work with some of the highest-quality sawmills and remanufacturers in the Pacific Northwest to ensure consistency and grade integrity, and we offer this material in a range of sizes and patterns to meet the needs of your specific project.

We offer discounted SHIPPING within 100 miles of our store in Hudson, New York. Just call us for a quote.

Supply and demand

True tight-grain, old-growth Vertical Grain Douglas Fir is extremely difficult to find today. Much of the remaining high-quality material is exported overseas, particularly to European markets, leaving a very limited supply available domestically. Most manufacturers will just tell you it doesn't exist, or it's too difficult to source.

Ghent Wood Products is one of the few retailers in the Northeast offering genuine tight-grain, old-growth Douglas Fir, sourced from top-tier Northwest sawmills and re-manufacturers. We focus on keeping this exceptional material available here at home for builders, architects, and woodworkers who value quality that can’t be replicated. We have a deep inventory right here in Hudson, New York. We keep a wide range of 4/4 through 8/4 rough VG on the ground so we can accommodate the most demanding specifications in short order.

Museum display of tree trunk cross sections labeled by age

These trees are how old!!??

Much of our tight-grain supply comes from salvage logging, where trees brought down by natural events such as wildfire or windstorms are carefully recovered and milled for their highest value. Many of these trees are 300 to 400 years old, producing the dense, tight grain structure that cannot be replicated in younger-growth material.

In contrast, second-growth Douglas Fir is typically harvested on much shorter cutting cycles, resulting in wider growth rings, lower density, and lumber better suited for standard construction rather than exposed finish applications. For projects where grain, stability, and appearance matter, the difference is immediately visible.

Why choose GWP

At Ghent Wood Products, we maintain in-stock inventory and a consistent supply of true tight-grain Vertical Grain Douglas Fir, allowing us to offer faster lead times and dependable availability. We provide custom-milled profiles to meet the specific needs of each project, and we stand behind the quality of every board we sell. While CVG Douglas Fir may be available elsewhere, the grade, grain density, and overall consistency of our material set it apart. As a locally owned business serving our regional community, we work with the best suppliers in the industry to deliver what we believe is the finest CVG Douglas Fir available in the Northeast.

Wide rough boards stepped across stickered piles

Tight ring saw-textured faces of two rough boards

End view of a stack of rough sawn timbers

Douglas Fir Clear Applications

Interior Beaded Ceiling, T&G Paneling, Wainscoting
Exterior Soffit
Exterior Porch Flooring, Interior Flooring
Interior & Exterior Trim Boards
Custom Patterns
Historical Restoration
Rough Sawn Lumber

VG Clear Products

4/4, 5/4, 7/4, 8/4 x R/W Rough Lumber
1x4 and 5/4x4 Flooring
5/8×4 and 5/8×6 Edge & Center Bead (ECB) Ceiling
1×4 through 1×8 T&G Custom Patterns
1×4 through 2×12 Trim Boards
S4S / S4SEE / S4SE4E Clear CVG Finish Boards
Short Clear Flooring & Ceiling, 3-5', 6-7'

MG Clear Products

5/8×4 and 5/8×6 Edge & Center Bead (ECB) Ceiling
DEE Grade / Outs - subject to availability but always a fantastic value!!

Technical

Grades: B&Btr, 85/15 R-List, C&Btr, D&Btr, DEE
Grading Agency: PLIB (Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau)
Ring Count: Minimum 6 rings per inch for dense designation; premium old growth often exceeds 10+ rings per inch
Grain Orientation: Vertical grain (VG) requires annular rings at 45° to 90° to the face
Density: 510 kg/m3
Heartwood: Orange red to reddish brown
Sapwood: Yellowish white; isolated to one edge only in true VG boards
Radial Shrinkage: 4.5%
Tangential Shrinkage: 7.3%
Species: Pseudotsuga menziesii
Tree Characteristics: Up to 300 ft tall with typical diameters of 3-6 ft. Widely regarded as the second tallest tree in the world behind the California Redwood.
Geographic Area: Western North America
Grain/Texture: Generally straight or slightly wavy, medium to coarse texture with moderate luster
Durability: Douglas Fir heartwood is rated moderately durable in regard to decay
Finishing: Excellent stain and paint absorption; clear finishes highlight vertical grain patterns
Douglas Fir has the highest strength to weight ratio of any wood species on the planet.

Douglas Fir Clear VG