Treesearch

Like many states in the Central Appalachian region West Virginia has experienced a continual expansion in primary hardwood processing capacity during the 1990s. In the early part of the decade, hardwood sawmill capacity increased by nearly 40 percent to more than 700 million board feet per year. In the mid and late 1990s, several other primary processing facilities were built in or near West Virginia, including two oriented-strandboard mills, two parallel strand and laminated veneer product mills, and two rotary-cut hardwood plywood mills.

Women have opportunities galore in the 1990s in wood products research, education, extension, consulting,manufacturing, marketing, and associations in North America. In the 1980s the same statement could not have been made.

Invasive exotic plants usurp forest productivity, hinder forest-use activities, and limit diversity on millions of acres of forest land in the Southeast Infestations of these plants and their range are constantly expanding, This paper examines the various aspects of the problem. Outlined are the biology, origin, range, uses, and herbicide control for 14 of the most prevalent exotic trees, shrubs, vines, and grasses. Losses on forest lands will continue to increase until importation of new exotic species is controlled, Integrated Weed Management Programs are organized, and effective control...

Three North American tree species, American chestnut (Castanea dentata), butternut (Juglans cinerea), and American elm (Ulmus americana), have been devastated by exotic fungal diseases over the last century. American chestnut was eliminated from eastern forests as a dominant species by chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica). Butternut is presently being extirpated, as butternut canker disease (Sirococcus clavigigenti-juglandacearum) spreads into northern populations. Urban and forest American elm populations have been decimated by Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma ulmi and O. nova-ulmi). A...

Understanding the relationship between hardwood lumber and stumpage prices is critical in evaluating market efficiency and in understanding the potential impact of changing technology on stumpage markets. Unfortunately, the complexity of the hardwood lumber market and lack of reliable data make it difficult to evaluate this relationship using traditional econometric systems. However, the relationship can be evaluated using economic theory, a review of market history, and statistical procedures. This paper first presents a theoretical development of the demand and supply of hardwood...

Soil temperature strongly influences physical, chemical, and biological activities in soil. However, soil temperature data for forest landscapes are scarce. For 6 yr, weekly soil temperatures were measured at two upland and four peatland sites in north central Minnesota. One upland site supported mature aspen forest, the other supported short grass. One peatland site was forested with black spruce, one supported tall willow and alder brush, and two had open vegetation ? sedges and low shrubs. Mean annual air temperature averaged 3.6°C. Mean annual soil temperatures at 10- to 200-cm depths...

Forest management activities that decrease soil porosity and remove organic matter have been associated with declines in site productivity. In the northern Lake States region, research is in progress in the aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx. and P. grandidentata Michx.) forest type to determine effects of soil compaction and organic matter removal on soil properties and growth of aspen suckers, associated woody species, herbaceous vegetation, and on stand development. Four treatments: (1) total tree harvest (TTH); (2) TTH plus soil compaction (CPT); (3) TTH plus forest floor removal (FFR);...

Restraining live-captured animals poses challenges when working alone, especially in remote field locations. While studying American martens (Marfes americana) and fishers (Martes pennantr) in Michigan, we developed a new tool, trap combs, to restrain a live-captured animal in the trap. The construction and use of trap combs are described.

Provides current and historical information on primary and secondary hardwood products, production, prices, international trade, and employment.