Integrated Utilization of Northeastern Timber Stands

A northeast firm integrated its operations in 1954 and changed from short-length log and 4-foot bolt logging to the manufacture of softwood and hardwood lumber from 4- to 16-foot logs. Only hardwood lumber which grades 1 Common or better is milled; all other grades and the slabs and edgings are chipped for pulp. Log quality is controlled so that only 2.5 cords are needed to produce l,000 bd. ft. of 1 Common or better lumber plus l.5 cords–equivalent of chips. At this level, 14 percent of all northern hardwood logs, mostly yellow birch, is utilized as sawlogs. Pine is sawn for grade and spruce goes into dimensional timbers for construction. Low- grade material and slabs and edgings are chipped for pulp. The switch from 4-foot to 16-foot logs required training of the log cutters and graders, new engineering of roads and yards, and tree-length logging with tractors. Logging costs per unit were increased somewhat during the trial period; but as personnel gain experience, the change is expected to be profitable.

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