Increased lumber value from optimum orientation of internal defects with respect to sawing pattern in hardwood sawlogs

The increase in lumber value possible from optimum orientation of internal defects with respect to sawing pattern for hardwood sawlogs was determined. Digital cartesian coordinate data on the shape and location of internal defects from 24 red oak sawlogs were gathered. Eight sawlogs were selected in each of three log grades. The data were obtained by crosscutting the sawlogs into 1/4-inch-thick cross sections that were recombined into a digital array describing each sawlog. The study logs were sawn into lumber by computer models simulating the hardwood sawing process. Both live and grade sawing were performed. The lumber values obtained from optimally orienting internal defects were compared to lumber values from application of standard hardwood sawyer procedures. The average value increases for both the live sawing method and the grade sawing method were just over 10 percent. Value increases did not differ significantly by individual log grade. This indicates that all log grades have the same potential to produce increased value of lumber by optimally orienting sawing patterns with respect to hardwood sawlog internal defects.

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