WVFA Mountain State Forestry Fall 2020

I N D U S T R Y N E W S www.wvfa.org Fall 2020 |  West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 13 indicated they do not pay differently for butts and upper logs with the same diameter and same number of clear faces, even though butt logs are generally more valuable than uppers, due to the amount of clear wood that they contain. Fifty-four respondents (49.4%) indicated they did pay more for butt logs. Mills were asked whether they buy logs of even lengths only or if they also buy odd length logs. From 107 responding mills, 62 (57.9%) mills purchased only even length logs, while the remaining 45 (42.1%) respondents purchased both even and odd length logs. For those only purchasing even length logs, this creates a possible situation where a logger produces a 9-foot log, sells it as an 8-foot log to the mill, and the mill then produces and sells 9-foot boards. Trim allowance, or the presence of a small amount of extra length beyond the target log length (e.g., 8 feet and 4 inches), ensures that a mill can saw lumber full length and not be forced to trim lumber back a foot or more. For instance, a 10-foot log with no trim will not yield 10 feet of lumber, since there is no room for error during the trimming operation. Once a 10-foot long board is trimmed, it would necessarily be cut back to either an 8- or 9-foot length, thereby losing lumber in the process. Of the 100 mills responding, 26 preferred 4 inches of trim, while 25 respondents reported using “Other” preferred lengths of trim ranging from 0 to 12 inches. Twenty-five preferred 6 inches of trim, while 24 respondents preferred a range between 4 and 6 inches. A statistically significant relationship was noted between preferred trim allowance and annual production. More small production mills than expected preferred other specified lengths of trim and more medium size mills than expected preferred 4 inches of trim. Furthermore, fewer large mills than expected preferred other specified trim lengths, while more large mills than expected preferred 6 inches of trim. GRADING PROTOCOLS Of the mills sampled, 95 of 107 (88.8%) graded logs without rolling the log to examine all four sides/faces (12 or 11.2% indicated they did roll logs). Rolling logs is a common practice in the purchase or evaluation of veneer logs, but according to respondents, this is not the case with sawlogs. The reason is probably associated with saving time in a production setting where time is of the essence in getting loads of logs graded and scaled as quickly as possible. The respondents who answered that they do not roll logs were further asked about the assumptions made regarding the bottom (hidden) face of the log. Thirty-four (42.5%) assumed the bottom of the log was “similar to other 3 sides,” followed by “clear” with 27 (33.8%) responses. Assuming the bottom face is “clear” is often a false assumption that unfairly boosts the quality of a particular log. “Other” responses (19 or 23.7%) included the bottom face on each log has at least one defect or that half of the logs have defects on the bottom face. FACTORS INFLUENCING PRODUCTION Mills were asked if they purchase gate wood. Gate wood is defined as logs purchased from an independent logger or wood broker where the seller is responsible for the logging and transportation of the logs to the mill. Of the 108 responding mills, 94 (87%) indicated that gate wood purchase is a normal log acquisition Log Rule Prod. Level Doyle International Scribner Combination State 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 Total KY 5 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 MD 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 NC 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 11 NY 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 OH 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 PA 2 6 2 0 1 0 3 3 1 0 1 0 19 TN 5 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 VA 0 4 6 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 14 WV 4 2 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 No State 4 1 5 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 Total 27 27 29 3 5 3 3 4 5 1 1 1 109 Table 2. The type of log rule that a sawmill uses to determine volume listed by state and annual production level (109 mills responding).