"ississauga" wrote in message
om...
When I see large pieces of finished lumber, say a piece of 1" thick
oak thats a foot by 4 feet, it seems to be made of several pieces
joined together. Is this done because smaller pieces are cheaper or is
there some other reason?

Narrow wood is easier to come by. There are few trees still to be harvested
that will yield very wide boards. Wide boards seem to warp easier but I
don't know what the optimum size is.