In the hardwood floor industry, in order to remove things such as knots, checks, mineral streaking and character imperfections, longer wood lengths are trimmed so that these are eliminated. The end result is shorter lengths but with the select look and feel of higher grade lumber.
It is possible to get both higher grade lumber in longer lengths, up to 16 feet in most species, if one is willing to pay a premium. Talk with Olympic Hardwood to discuss your options for each species of wood and manufacturer to locate the flooring that suits your needs.