Title: Key Attributes Associated with Veneer Quality Timber that may be Impacted by Forest Management Practices
Abstract: Veneer log prices are commonly 4 to 10 times the price of grade 1 sawlogs yet veneer quality trees constitute less than 1 percent of the hardwood timber resource in the northeastern United States. Veneer manufacturers and their customers impose guidelines in specifying wood quality attributes that are very discriminating but poorly defined (e.g., exceptional color, texture, and/or figure characteristics). In order to better understand and begin to define the most important attributes that distinguish veneer logs from sawlogs and high-end from low-end veneer logs, we are conducting a series of studies in which we are collecting veneer log attribute information from veneer log buyers and sellers, veneer manufacturers, and veneer sales personnel. Broad veneer log quality requirements and specific requirements for the most highly demanded veneer log species (cherry, red oak, white oak, white ash, black walnut, sugar maple, and yellow- poplar) are being elucidated. The relative importance of critical, but often subtle, veneer log quality attributes are examined for each of these species. Guidelines for assessing the true veneer value potential of high-quality trees can be based on buyer-cue based log attribute metrics. Important veneer attributes include log form, growth-ring consistency, heartwood/sapwood proportion, and wood color as well as the more obvious defects. Forest managers can consider the relative importance of the different attributes when they initiate silvicultural techniques to produce high- quality hardwood timber.
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 5
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