Caruso Forest Products

08/16/2026

WV Black Locust Siding KD to 14% MC.
1 x 6 T&G w/ "crusher bead" to allow for expansion.

08/02/2026

07/20/2026

Time to update your USDA chart for rot resistance. The same 3 class chart was used from 1935 to 2010, when they updated it for their 100th anniversary at Madison. The new chart is in the 2010 Cenntenial edition. Here are both charts. Look how much they have changed.

07/02/2026

West Virginia Timber Grown Black Locust vs Old Growth Teak ?

Actually, both are black locust.
The color shows both are mineral/extractive loaded with Robinetin, a Flavonoid that gives black locust is yellow/golden color and legendary rot-resistance.

The teak-like pic, in addition to also being extractive laden, has another type of mineral intake from growing in Limestone that produced the black streaks. This most likely has some serious rot-resistance, not to mention increased physical properties. Some of the locust we harvest feels as almost as heavy as IPE.

06/28/2026

WV Timber Grown Locust. Look at the color !!!!!!!!!!!!!

06/27/2026

WV Timber Locust post 4 x 4 FOHC with over 50 years of growth.
Most Field Locust are harvested in 15 to 30 years. 40 being generous. That's for the entire tree.
Even with the fairly slow growth shown, this piece still feels as heavy as Ipe.