An investigation of the effects of poor stem form and sawmill recovery on Coastal lodgepole pine.

Abstract

Coastal lodgepole pine LP (C) grown in the Republic of Ireland is frequently of very poor form. A small scale sawmill study was undertaken in order to answer several questions about the LP (C) materials which will be produced over the next ten to fifteen years. The main issues addressed in this paper are the quality of the form, the consequences in terms of sawmill recovery, and the possibility of relating sweep at the base to recovery. Results indicated a loss of about 30% of the expected sawn wood return if the trees had been straight. Regression analysis indicated that there is a relationship between sweep at 1.3m and recovery. An economic analysis revealed that at current prices and costs it is not profitable to sacrifice vigour for slower growing but straighter crops.