Predicting Product Recovery in Southern Pine Using Dendrometry and STX

The STX system makes it possible to estimate the yield of a tract of timber for any product–lumber, sawdust, chips, veneer, newsprint, etc.–or any mix of products. The system consists of 3-P sampling for highly efficient sample selection and low sampling error; standing tree dendrometry for accurate volume estimation; use of primary units of measure for accurate conversion to mill outturn and value; and processing though the STX computer program. 3-P sampling uses a small number of trees, allowing more time to measure each sample tree precisely. With an optical dendrometer, the form of the tree can be accurately defined and sections of differing quality and defects can be separated. Thus the STX system is particularly suited to prediction of product recovery as well as timber volume. Using merchantability standards for each product, each dendrometered tree can be divided into any number of desired products: peeler logs, sawtimber, poles, pilings, etc. Measurements taken by dendrometry and mathematically converted to primary units of measure– cubic foot volume, surface area, and length–when combined with a grade or quality defect code completely define each section of the tree. Coefficients for converting primary units of measure to multi-product mill outturn for a particular product can be determined by measuring and milling a small number of trees. A pilot test of 50 dendrometered trees and the milling of the resulting 151 logs in a Texas sawmill is outlined to illustrate application of the system.

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