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What hardwood was used in the aft main shaft strut bearings for USS Nautilus (SSN-571), the world's first nuclear-powered submarine?

Hint: It's the same hardwood used to craft Pete Seeger's famous banjo.

Answer: Lignum vitae, known for its unusual combination of strength, toughness, and density.

Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XIV, Issue XII: Vietnam's Wood Exports Continue To Soar | Guitar Industry Struggles With Hidden Environmental Issues | Regulation Is Now $93,870 Of A New Home's Price | Tariffs Double On Canadian Lumber | 22 States End Federal COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits

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Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reports that the export value of wood and wood products has reached $6.6 billion in the first five months of this year - a whopping 61.3% increase vs. last year. Nearly 85% of the total value of Vietnam's wood and wood products exports is shipped to just four countries: the U.S., China, Japan, and South Korea.

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"Fire season 2021 is looking grim," said California's only wildfire research center on Twitter. The researchers' concern is the low level of fuel-moisture content, the statistic that measures the ratio of moisture to flammable material in plants, trees, and shrubs. Last year's wildfire season broke records: there were 9,639 fires across the state, burning nearly 4.4 million acres over 4% of the state's area.

Lumber firms support the U.S. Department of Commerce's plan to double tariff rates on most Canadian softwood timber. That plan has angered home builders. While the new rates vary by company, expect overall increases of 9% to 18.32%.

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