Segregation of Foliage from Chipped Tree Tops and Limbs

Abstract

An increase in forest utilization can be brought about by chipping logging residues or whole trees in the woods and removing the bark and foliage later. Because portable whole-tree chippers are now commercially available, methods must be developed for segregating bark and foliage from the chips. This paper discusses foliage removal results obtained from testing two methods of directing an airflow transverse to chips, bark, and foliage. The species tested were aspen, sugar maple, jack pine, red pine, balsam fir, and loblolly pine. Removing leaves was more successful than removing needles. Best results were obtained with sugar maple (88-percent foliage removal and 87-percent wood fiber recovery). More research is necessary to develop methods that will give a higher wood recovery.

Citation

Sturos, John A. 1973. Segregation of Foliage from Chipped Tree Tops and Limbs. Research Note NC-146. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station