Treesearch

Significant family variation in female strobili incidence, ripeness-to-flower and production were found in a Minnesota black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) population tested at four locations. Heritability estimates indicated that gain in early flowering from selection would be possible. Height growth through age 12 years was positively correlated (genetic and phenotypic) to female strobili production between ages 10 and 12 years.

Recognizing the interactions among lumber grading rules, gang-ripping technology, and the parts needs of the furniture and cabinet industries could increase the use of No. 2 Common lumber as a raw material. The minimum piece size used in establishing the No.2 Common grade is 3 inches by 2 feet. Industry often needs shorter and narrower pieces than this. No.2 Common often contains areas that contribute to total yield but cannot be used to establish the grade. Results from an analysis of the effects of crook on yield when gang-ripping narrow boards show that both No.1 and No.2 Common yield...

Since the launch of the first civilian earth-observing satellite in 1972, satellite remote sensing has provided increasingly sophisticated information on the structure and function of forested ecosystems. Forest classification and mapping, common uses of satellite data, have improved over the years as a result of more discriminating sensors, better classification algorithms, and the use of geographic information systems to incorporate additional spatially referenced data such as topography. Land-use change, including conversion of forests for urban or agricultural development, can now be...

PROFIT-PC is a menu driven, interactive PC (personal computer) program that estimates optimum product mix and maximum net harvesting revenue based on projected product yields and stump-to-mill timber harvesting costs. Required inputs include the number of trees/acre by species and 2 inches diameter at breast-height class, delivered product prices by species and product type, and haul distance by road class for each product. The product mix that maximizes net revenue is determined by comparing equivalent unit-product values for each species. The user can specify truck type for hauling and...

Planning logging operations requires estimating the logging costs for the sale or tract being harvested. Decisions need to be made on equipment selection and its application to terrain. In this paper a methodology is described that has been developed and implemented to solve the problem of accurately estimating logging costs by region. The methodology blends field time and motion data, simulation analysis, non-linear regression models, and detailed feedback loops.

Decision makers, loggers, managers, and planners need to understand and have methods for estimating utilization and productive time of cable logging systems. In making an accurate prediction of how much area and volume a machine will log per unit time and the associated cable yarding costs, a reliable estimate of the availability, utilization, and productive time of the cable machine must be known. This study analyzes the important estimators for the Christy SWY III cable yarder operating in the southern Appalachian Region of the Southeastern United States. Shift data were collected on 12...