Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
D1165-23 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
📖 Scope and Application
ASTM D1165 – 23 establishes the standard nomenclature for commercial hardwoods and softwoods. This definitive checklist correlates commercial species group names with their official common tree names and botanical names, strictly representing commercial lumber practices in the United States and Canada. Official common names within this standard conform to USFS AH 541 (Checklist of United States Trees), while the regulatory framework connects directly to the NIST standard PS 20 (Voluntary Product Standard, American Softwood Lumber Standard).
📋 Core Terminology and Species Group Structure
Section 3 of the standard provides precise definitions for the key naming conventions. A species group can include a mix of hardwoods and softwoods combined for marketing convenience, growing within the same timber stand, or for having similar performance characteristics.
| 🟦 Term | 📖 Definition (Per D1165 Section 3) |
|---|---|
| Commercial Names | Names representative of commercial practice in the US and Canada |
| Official Common Tree Names | Standard names used to identify the tree species |
| Botanical Names | Scientific names identifying the genus and species of individual trees |
| Commercial Species Groups | Species combined for marketing, growing regions, or similar performance properties |
The standard organizes species into two structural tables. Single species and species groups for hardwoods are provided in Table 1, while softwoods are listed in Table 2.
| 📋 Table | 🎯 Target Species | ⚡ Key Column Fields |
|---|---|---|
| Table 1 | Commercial Hardwood Species Groups | Commercial Names, Common Tree Names, Botanical Names |
| Table 2 | Commercial Softwood Species Groups | Commercial Names, Common Tree Names, Botanical Names |
🌍 Geographic and Regulatory Marks
D1165 employs specific typographic conventions to distinguish regulatory status and geographic origin. The (North) and (South) designations are an ALSC convention defined in PS 20 and identify species harvested from Canada or the United States, respectively. Foreign species used in the US and Canada are detailed separately in Appendix X1.
💡 Technical Note: Names recognized under the American Lumber Standard are marked with a dagger (†). Conversely, if you encounter a name with an asterisk (*) within the tables, it is a commercial name strictly unique to Canada. Always cross-reference these markings with PS 20 for compliance.
⚠️ Critical Distinction: The (North) and (South) convention is geographically rigid. A species group harvested in Canada must use the (North) designation, while the exact same species harvested in the US must use (South). Failure to apply the correct geographic designator constitutes a misrepresentation of the commercial nomenclature per ALSC rules.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What differentiates a “commercial name” from a “common tree name” in this standard?
A commercial name applies specifically to the lumber and its marketing. A common tree name, conforming to USFS AH 541, is the standard name for the tree species itself. A single commercial species group may contain several distinct common tree names under one marketing label.
💡 How does the standard handle Canadian vs. American species designations?
Names unique to Canada are explicitly marked with an asterisk (*) within the tables. Furthermore, the (North) designation is applied to species harvested in Canada, while (South) applies to those from the United States, as per the ALSC convention defined in PS 20.
⚡ Where can foreign species used in the US and Canada be found within this standard?
Foreign species that are commercially used in the United States and Canada are not listed in the main Tables 1 or 2. They are specifically compiled in Appendix X1 of the standard, which provides their commercial and botanical names for clarity.
📌 What is the relationship between D1165 and PS 20?
D1165 directly relies on PS 20 for the accreditation of lumber rules writing agencies. The geographic designators (North) and (South) used primarily within D1165’s softwood nomenclature are defined as a convention by these ALSC accredited agencies, which are established under the authority of PS 20.