Assessment of the lumber drying industry and current potential for value-added processing in Alaska.

Abstract

An assessment was done of the lumber drying industry in Alaska. Part 1 of the assessment included an evaluation of kiln capacity, kiln type, and species dried, by geographic region of the state. Part 2 of the assessment considered the value-added potential associated with lumber drying. Various costs related to lumber drying were evaluated in an Excel spreadsheet. About 2.2 million board feet of lumber per year is currently being dried in Alaska, over 90 percent of which is softwoods. Total installed kiln capacity is about 94 thousand board feet. On a board-foot basis, lumber drying premiums and profitability were most influenced by species dried (whether softwoods or hardwoods) and not as strongly influenced by geographic location or type of kiln used.

Citation

Nicholls, David L.; Kilborn, Kenneth A. 2001. Assessment of the lumber drying industry and current potential for value-added processing in Alaska. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-522. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 13 p