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Wood Utilization Publications
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Pacific Northwest Research Station - Wood Utilization Publications
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Assessment of timber availability from forest restoration within the Blue Mountains of Oregon
Changes in forest management have detrimentally affected the economic health of small communities in the Blue Mountain region of Oregon over the past few decades. A build-up of small trees threatens the ecological health of these forests and increases wildland fire hazard. Hoping to boost their economies and also restore these forests, local leaders are interested in the economic value of timber that might be available from thinning treatments on these lands.
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Taper equation and volume tables for plantation-grown red alder
A taper equation and associated tables are presented for red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) trees grown in plantations. The data were
gathered from variable-density experimental plantations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Diameter inside bark along the stem was
fitted to a variable exponent model form by using generalized nonlinear least squares and a first-order continuous autoregressive
process. A number of parameterizations of the exponent were examined in a preliminary analysis, and the most appropriate form was determined.
This was achieved by examining alternative models across geographic locations and silvicultural treatments on the basis of their ability to
behave well outside the range of the modeling data by using an independent evaluation data set from across the region and a model validation
procedure. Incorporating three easily measured tree variables—diameter at breast height, total tree height, and crown ratio—provided
the best fit among location and treatment. This taper equation can be used to estimate diameter inside bark anywhere along the stem, inside
bark volume of the entire stem to any top height diameter, and merchantable height and volume between any two points along the stem (i.e.,
individual log volumes). The flexibility of the model allows for accurate volume predictions across a range of operational stand conditions
and management activities and is therefore an improvement over previously published red alder volume and taper equations.
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Market Opportunities For Kitchen Cabinets Made From Alaska Hardwoods: A Synthesis and Review of Recent Research
The kitchen cabinet industry has shown significant growth recently, with expanding residential markets, new cabinet styles, and larger
kitchens. This industry represents an opportunity for small Alaska wood producers to create high-value secondary products. In
response to recent trends in kitchen cabinet manufacturing and the need to identify opportunities for underutilized species, the Alaska Wood
Utilization Research and Development Center has conducted numerous studies evaluating consumer preferences for Alaska's primary
hardwoods-Alaska birch (Betula papyrifera var. humilis )Reg.) Fern & Raup) and red alder (Alnus rubra
Bong.). These studies explored consumer preferences under a range of marketing parameters, cabinet appearances, and regional market
locations. This paper summarizes these studies and offers insights into the potential market for Alaska's hardwoods as secondary wood
products such as kitchen cabinets.
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Regional Cost Information For Private Timberland Conversion and Management
Cost of private timber management practices in the United States are identified, and their relationship to timber production in general is
highlighted. Costs across timber-producing regions and forest types are identified by forest type and timber management practices
historically applied in each region. This includes cost estimates for activities such as forest establishment practices such as reforestation and
afforestation on crop and pastureland. Establishment costs for reforestation in the Southern United States are less than in other regions,
although regional differences in establishment costs are less evident in hardwood than in softwood stands. Also, included in the list of timber
management costs ate the intermediate management treatments of precommercial thinning, herbicide, and fertilizer application. Intermediate
management treatments are less costly in the southern United States than in other regions. Trends in timber management costs reported as part of
the management costs reporting.
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Alaska's Lumber-Drying Industry-Impacts From A Federal Grant Program
A survey determined that installed dry kiln capacity in Alaska more than doubled to an estimated 220 thousand board feet (mbf) within 4
years (2000-2004). This increased ability to produce dry lumber and value-added products resulted from industry efforts to obtain
federal funding to support a dry kiln grant program. This report reviews grantees' progress in implementing grantsupported projects and their
impact on the production capabilities of the Alaska lumber drying industry. Data were collected in early 2005 by using a standard set of questions
asked of 19 dry kiln owners. Much of the growth in drying and value-added processing capacity has been concentrated in southeast Alaska where
there has been the greatest dry kiln investment. During 2004, the estimated volume of lumber dried in Alaska was 813 mbf, whereas potential annual
capacity was estimated to be almost 6,600 mbf. This indicates that Alaska producers are drying just over 12 percent of their potential capacity.
Factors that will increase the future production of value-added forest products in Alaska include a continuing supply of economically priced
timber, the ability of the industry to support a reasonably priced grading service, and the ability of producers to move value-added products
to domestic and export markets.
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