Contemporary wood utilization research needs in the Western United States are examined in this problem analysis. Key focal areas include: A. Changes in forest management actions and policies affect forest conditions and people, which in turn affect wood quality and wood utilization opportunities. B. Effects of natural disturbances (e.g., wildfire, insect outbreaks) on wood quality, wood utilization, and people are poorly understood. C. Regional differences throughout the Western States are poorly understood in the context of wood utilization. D. Technical assistance and feasibility analyses are needed by resource managers, technical organizations, users of natural resources, and others interested in the physical characteristics, processing, and marketing of forest products.