Volume recovery, grade yield, and properties of lumber from young-growth sitka spruce and western hemlock in Southeast Alaska

• Published in: Forest products journal 2002-05, Vol.52 (5), p.81-87
• Main Authors: CHRISTENSEN, Glenn A, JULIN, Kent R, ROSS, Robert J, WILLITS, Susan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Density; Evaluation; Exact sciences and technology; Forest management; Forest products industry; Forestry; Forests and forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities. Production, biomass. Quality of wood and forest products. General forest ecology; Laboratories; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Moisture content; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Properties and testing; Quality of wood and forest products; Spruce; Statistical analysis; Statistics; Studies; Timber; Trees; Wood; Wood products; Wood. Paper. Non wovens
• ISSN: 0015-7473; 2376-9637

Wood volume recovery, lumber grade yield, and mechanical properties of young-growth Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophyla (Raf.) Sarg.) were examined. The sample included trees from commercially thinned and unthinned stands and fluted western hemlock logs obtained from a sort yard. Mean cubic recovery of lumber volume from all sawn logs was 44.9%. More than 90% of the lumber was graded as number 2 or better; about 5% was Clear (C-Select or D-Select), and about 10% was Select Structural. No differences in volume recovery or grade yield due to thinning were noted for Sitka spruce logs. For western hemlock, more volume was recovered from trees in unthinned stands; more Select Structural and number 1 lumber and less number 2 lumber was produced from thinned stands.