Publications by Title

Agriculture's Hold on the Commonwealth by David Holm, Daniel Lass, Richard Rogers and David Damery  "Farming and forestry one industry, two sectors."

Alternatives to Solid Wood Exterior Trim by Paul Fisette
There are other choices for exterior trim besides solid wood, but understanding how different materials perform and knowing their limitations is the key to satisfaction.

An Economic Valuation of Recreational Shellfishing On Cape Cod . Damery, David T. and P. Geoffrey Allen. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. November 2004.

A Stochastic Plasticity Approach to Strength Modeling of Strand-based Wood Composites. Clouston, P.; Lam, F. 2002. Composites Science and Technology, 62 (2002), pp. 1381-1395

Bracing Foam-Sheathed Walls by Paul Fisette
If you're building a foam-sheathed home: metal strap braces and 1" x 4" let-in braces won't provide racking resistance equal to structural sheathing.

Calculating Loads on Headers and Beams by Paul Fisette
Understanding how loads are transferred through a structure and act on structural members is the first step to sizing headers and beams.

Case Studies of Farm and Forestry Community-based Programs by David Holm, Daniel Lass, Richard Rogers and David Damery
The story of two innovative and successful community-based ventures in agriculture and forestry.

Cellulose Insulation - A Smart Choice by Paul Fisette
Cellulose insulation is a smart alternative to fiberglass. It provides a green, efficient, non-toxic, affordable thermal solution that’s worth considering.

Choosing Between Oriented Strandboard and Plywood by Paul Fisette
Manufacturers of oriented strandboard and plywood claim both products work well. But using panels made of wood chips makes some builders nervous. Like it or not, osb will define the future of the structural sheathing market.

Common Failures in Wood Structures by Paul Fisette
Call-backs cost money and challenge a builder's reputation. Prevention is always the most cost-effective cure.

Computational Modeling of Strand-based Wood Composites. Clouston, P.; Lam, F. 2001. ASCE Journal of Engineering Mechanics , 127(8), 844-851

Controlling Termites and Carpenter Ants by Paul Fisette
If you live in the United States, you live under the constant threat of costly termite or carpenter ant infestation. The annual price tag associated with their destruction is conservatively estimated at $1.5 billion.

Cost of Quahog Seeding on Cape Cod - David T. Damery
Cape Cod municipal shellfish programs were surveyed over the summer of 2000 to assess the different methods used  to purchase seed, grow-out, and deliver viable quahogs to their managed shellfish beds.  A survey of town shellfish officers was conducted along with site visits and interviews. 
Appendices
Appendix 2 - Survey Results Spreadsheet

Creating a Soundproof Office - Paul Fisette & Daniel Pepin
A thoughtful, low-cost workshop conversion  provides staff in an abutting office with a quiet work environment.  Published in the Journal of Light Construction, April 2002.

Creating Your Web Site: Keys to Success by David Damery
Retail lumber dealers are increasingly turning to the Web to enhance sales. Helpful tips for website use and design are presented.

Decade of Innovation in Particleboard and Composite Materials, A: a content analysis of Washington State University’s International Particleboard/Composite Materials Symposium Proceedings by James S. Peters, David T. Damery, and Peggi Clouston (Department of Natural Resources Conservation, University of Massachusetts)
The authors investigated the typology and characteristics of recent technology innovation in particleboard and composite materials. Conducting a cluster analysis of data derived from a content analysis of the International Particleboard/Composite Materials Symposium Proceedings, they identified four major clusters of like-type technology innovations – manufacturing, high technology, materials processing, and new products. Equipment makers dominated innovation in all four clusters, and “improved product quality” was the predominant source of economic benefits.

Decisionmaking in the Purchase of Siding: A Survey of Architects, Contractors and Homeowners in the U.S. Northeast by David T. Damery and Paul Fisette
This study revealed that several issues control the selection and purchase of specific materials and products. Responses in this study defined existing market shares of wood and non-wood products in the Northeast region. Original publication, Forest Products Journal V.51 (7/8) p.29-36

Decoding Building Codes by Paul Fisette
Common sense and open lines of communication unravel the tangle of regulations that restrain many construction projects.

Details that Keep Walls Watertight by Paul Fisette
Careful detailing of house wrap and flashing connections will reduce maintenance and lengthen the working life of structural components in wood-frame structures.

Developing a Paperless Classroom by David T. Damery
Developing a Paperless Classroom: Fundraising Through Instruction A Case Study

Do You Lay Decking Bark-Side Up or Bark-Side Down? by Paul Fisette
A short answer to an often asked question.

Evaluating OSB for Coastal Roofs  by Paul Fisette
After Hurricane Andrew, Florida code advisers ruled OSB sheathing inferior to plywood. Was the judgment too hasty? Evidence suggests that OSB performs well when fastened properly, but the jury is still out on impact resistance.

Food Marketing and Lumber Processing in Massachusetts, 1958 to 1997 by David Damery, David Holm, Daniel Lass, and Richard Rogers
"This paper examines the food and lumber processing industries in Massachusetts over the last four decades."

From Trees to Flooring by David Damery & Susan Campbell -
This paper describes the results of a value added production project of the Massachusetts Woodlands Cooperative, LLC. The process of converting standing timber into kiln dried lumber and flooring is detailed. Steps in the value added production chain are described including: management plan objectives, cutting plan, logging, sawmilling, drying and moulding of flooring. Volume estimates, quality, grade, process yields and costs are presented. Production and quality issues and the economic feasibility of extending this model are discussed. Other landowner groups considering value added processing as a way to increase economic returns will benefit from the data presented.

Getting Contractor Discounts by Paul Fisette and David Damery
Understanding dealer margins and market opportunities will help you negotiate the lowest material prices

Green Schools - Attributes for Health and Learning - by Paul Fisette, co-authored by 12 others.

Housewraps, Felt Paper and Weather Penetration Barriers by Paul Fisette
Siding isn't weather-proof. A second line of defense is a critical component in smart weather-protecting wall designs.

Incorporating Size Effects in the Tsai-Wu Strength Theory for Douglas-fir Laminated Veneer. Clouston, P.; Lam, F.; Barrett, J.D. 1998. Wood Science and Technology, 32, pp. 215-226

Insulating On the Outside  by Paul Fisette
Wrapping a home with insulating sheathing saves energy and can be cost effective, but the design must consider a host of structural concerns including moisture, shear loads, insects and fire.

Interaction Term of Tsai-Wu Theory for Laminated Veneer. Clouston, P.; Lam, F.; Barrett, J.D. 1998. ASCE Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 10(2), pp. 112-116

Landowner Driven Sustainable Forest Management and Value-Added Processing: A Case Study in Massachusetts, USA - by David Damery
The Massachusetts Woodlands Cooperative, LLC (MWC) is working to help members conduct sustainable forestry of the highest standards while increasing financial returns from harvest activities. The forests of Massachusetts, the third most densely populated state in the United States, are threatened. Decades of high grading and the threat of forest conversion to alternative use present challenges for maintaining a forested landscape. Despite being 60% forested Massachusetts imports approximately 98% of the wood fiber that its citizens consume.

Leaky Housewraps by Paul Fisette
Results from the most recent Building Materials Laboratory study show some housewraps may do little to block rain intrusion.

Life and Death of a Building Lot Subject to Perc by Paul Fisette
Soil experts think many percolation tests prevent contractors from building on suitable lots. Perhaps it's time to look closer at our soils.

Massachusetts Directory of Sawmills & Dry Kilns - 2006 by David T. Damery, Curt Bellemer & Gordon Boyce. "This directory contains listings for sawmills, portable bandmills and dry kilns located in Massachusetts."

Massachusetts Directory of Sawmills & Dry Kilns - 2003 by David T. Damery & Gordon Boyce. "This directory contains listings for sawmills, portable bandmills and dry kilns located in Massachusetts."

Massachusetts Family Forests: Birth of a Landowner Cooperative by Paul K. Barten, David Damery, Paul Catanzaro, Jennifer Fish, Susan Campbell, Adrian Fabos and Lincoln Fish
Published in the Journal of Forestry (vol. 99, no. 3) by the Society of American Foresters, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2198; www.safnet.org. Not for further publication.

OSB Prices and Industry Consolidation by David Damery - 2002

Preserving Trees During Construction by Paul Fisette and Dennis Ryan
Saving trees makes sense. It improves profit margins, builder reputation and sales. Careful planning, solid communication and a basic understanding of what keeps trees growing will make customers happy for a lifetime.

Preventing Ice Dams by Paul Fisette
Proper insulation and roof ventilation can stop ice dams from forming, prevent damage, and lower energy bills.

Reroofing and Residing to Save Energy by Paul Fisette
When it's time to replace worn siding and roof coverings, you can recognize this as an opportunity to upgrade your home's energy performance. Here are several options that can help you meet your goals for some roofs and wood siding rehabs.

Residential Building Code - Test Your Understanding of Some Common Issues, The by Paul Fisette
When it's time to replace worn siding and roof coverings, you can recognize this as an opportunity to upgrade your home's energy performance. Here are several options that can help you meet your goals for some roofs and wood siding rehabs.

Safe Scaffolds by Paul Fisette
Thousands of builders are injured every year as a result of scaffold failures. Typical failures prove that safety is an active choice.

Sizing Engineered Beams and Headers by Paul Fisette
Once the loads acting on structural beams are calculated, the next step is to size and select the appropriate beam.

."Structural properties of pegged timber connections as affected by end distance". by Burnett, David T., Peggi Clouston, David T. Damery, Paul Fisette

The Evolution of Engineered Wood I-Joists by Paul Fisette
For years engineered I-joists have been pricey framing options in high-end custom homes. Expanded product lines and competitive market forces now provide builders with high performance at entry-level cost.

The Market for Decking in the U.S. Northeast: A Survey of Architects, Contractors and Homeowners by David T. Damery
Decking performance ranked highest among factors controlling the deck purchase decision.

The Massachusetts Woodlands Cooperative:  Poised for Expansion
by David T. Damery, Jay Healy, Susan Campbell, Arthur Eve
The forest of northern hardwoods, white pine and hemlock that blankets much of the western Massachusetts landscape is in reality a patchwork quilt of non-industrial family plots--about 220,000 of them in all, ranging in size from several dozen to several hundred acres. In 1999, a group of forest landowners recognized that a cooperative structure would enable them to strengthen their bargaining power, pool their resources, add value to their forest products, enrich the local economy, and maintain the region’s rural quality of life.

Understanding Loads and Using Span Tables by Paul Fisette
Using span tables to size joists and rafters is a straight-forward process when you understand the structural principles that govern their use.

Using E-Commerce in the Forest Products Industry - David Damery
The forest products industry is rapidly adopting e-commerce solutions as it advances in the information age. In this chapter, the unique e-commerce needs of this sector's small businesses are discussed

Web Information Resources for Remodelers by David Damery
Reviews search techniques for remodeling contractors. Provides reviews of popular remodeling oriented sites.

Windows: Understanding Energy Efficient Performance by Paul Fisette
An update on how today's high-tech windows work and what to look for when you make your next purchase.

Whose Woods are These? - David Damery & Arthur Eve
Two years ago, a group of small forest landowners became convinced that the “problem” of many small, privately-owned parcels was in fact an opportunity, for them and for the region. Just as produce growers form agricultural cooperatives to strengthen their bargaining power, pool their resources, and add value to their products, so could forest growers use the co-op structure to help themselves and the local economy.  Published in the Cooperative Life, Summer, 2001, pp.8-9

Wood Myths: Facts and Fictions About Wood by Paul Fisette
Setting the record straight on common misbeliefs about the material we use everyday.

Wood Underlayment for Resilient Flooring by Paul Fisette
Proper selection and installation of underlayment materials paves the way for durable and attractive vinyl.

Wooden Grade Beams by Paul Fisette
A low-cost alternative to poured concrete foundation walls.