Sitka spruce and western hemlock beach logs in southeast Alaska: suitability for lumber, pulp, and energy.

Susan Ernst; Marlin E. Plank; Donald J. Fahey

doi:10.2737/PNW-RP-352

Treesearch

Sitka spruce and western hemlock beach logs in southeast Alaska: suitability for lumber, pulp, and energy.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Susan Ernst, Marlin E. Plank, Donald J. Fahey

Year:

1986

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RP-352

Source:

Res. Pap. PNW-RP-352. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 32 p

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Download (PDF 1.43 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/25292.pdf

Abstract

The suitability of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) beach logs in southeast Alaska for lumber, pulp, and energy was determined. Logs were sawn at a cant mill in southeast Alaska and at a dimension mill in northern Washington. Volume and value recovery was compared among samples of live, recent dead, and older dead classes of logs. The live and recent dead samples produced about the same quantity and quality of lumber. The older dead sample produced less volume and lower quality lumber. There were no difficulties in pulping or gasification of the beach logs, but a higher salt content may cause problems with boiler corrosion and stack emissions.

Keywords

wood utilization, beach logs, western hemlock, Sitka spruce, southeast Alaska

Citation

Ernst, Susan; Plank, Marlin E.; Fahey, Donald J. 1986. Sitka spruce and western hemlock beach logs in southeast Alaska: suitability for lumber, pulp, and energy. Res. Pap. PNW-RP-352. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 32 p