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Integrating standing value estimation into tree marking guidelines to meet wood supply objectives

Summary

Published in Canadian Journal of Forest Research 44: 750-759. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr.2013.0407

The identification of low-vigor trees with potential for sawlog production is a key objective of tree marking guidelines used for partial cuts in northern hardwoods. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of various vigor-related defects on the monetary value of hardwoods. To achieve this, we sampled 64 sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) and 32 yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) trees from two locations in southern Quebec, Canada. We identified over 420 defects, which were grouped into 8 categories. The trees were then harvested and processed into lumber, and the value per unit volume of each stem was calculated from the value of the product assortment (lumber, chips, and sawdust). We found that visible evidence of fungal infections (sporocarps and (or) stroma) and cracks had the largest negative influence on value in both species. A model that included these defects was almost as good at predicting value as one that included a specifically designed quality classification. A more accurate assessment of value could be achieved using wood decay assessment tools and (or) by considering site-specific variables. Results from this study showed that visual identification of fungal infections and cracks could be used to enhance tree marking guidelines for hardwoods. This would meet both the silvicultural objective of selection cuts, by removing low-vigor trees, and the wood supply objective, by improving stem quality assessment prior to harvest.

Sector(s): 

Forests

Categorie(s): 

Scientific Article

Theme(s): 

Forestry Research, Forests, Silviculture

Departmental author(s): 

Bédard, Steve, Havreljuk, Filip

Author(s)

HAVRELJUK, Filip, Alexis ACHIM, David AUTY, Steve BÉDARD and David POTHIER

Year of publication :

2014

Format :

Paper

Keywords :

érable à sucre, bouleau jaune, feuillus, martelage, défauts, vigueur des arbres, qualité des arbres, sylviculture et rendement des forêts naturelles - peuplements feuillus, Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, silviculture and yield of natural forests - hardwood stands, sugar maple, yellow birch, hardwoods, tree marking, defects, tree vigor, tree quality

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