Forest-origin biomass estimates were made by FPInnovations for a location in Northern Alberta, largely following the process previously established for six BC Timber Supply Areas using FPInterface (2010 13). The biomass inventory was based on 20-year harvest and road network plans for Crown land provided by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry as well as local forest tenure holders. Includes Excel data sheet which is saved separately at \\fpinnovations.lan\structure\Commun_Common\Publications\FOP/2017N38.XLSX
There was no change to the moisture content of any of the western hemlock log sample sets during the study period between 1 Dec 2014 and 5 mar 2015. It seems that this lack of change is related to stability in environmental humidity experienced by the logs. Whether or not time since cutting influences the ability of Hw logs to change moisture content could not be conclusively determined by the study.
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Based on the data from this study and a literature review, there are two distinct trajectories for hemlock wood moisture content, depending on if the tree was felled before or after May. Hemlock trees felled before May gain the full benefit of spring drying according to the ambient conditions of their local micro-climate. Trees felled after May suffer from a physiological spike in moisture content that the tree generates to promote its growth and survive the summer soil drought.
The problem of second-growth western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) sinking when watered continues to plague the coastal logging industry of British Columbia. A study conducted by FPInnovations in 2015-16 concluded that felled hemlock logs took two distinct trajectories in their drying patterns through time, depending on whether they were felled before or after May.
Western hemlock can have higher moisture content than most other native trees, which causes it to sink. Hemlock lumens have large pits (valves) that allow easy transport of water into the wood.
The cost and productivity of producing and transporting bio logs from the harvest site to the mill was determined. The incremental cost ($10 increments) and potential fibre displacement of recovering residual fibre as bio logs was assessed.
Contamination of hog fuel along the supply chain was observed at Skookumchuk. FPInnovations recommends that the number of times hog fuel is moved be minimized, that operators be trained in correct handling procedures, that a penalty/reward system be instituted to habituate proper handling procedures, that cross logs be used beneath log decks, that hog fuel storage surfaces be paved or frozen, and that hog fuel produced in the field be ground directly into chip vans.
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A biomass heat map is a tool to help visualize the cost of biomass that is residual from harvest operations. The heat map is important because it can inform decision-making and economic feasibility studies. Its visual impact can trigger new thoughts and innovations in the human mind that a table of numbers can not... like: Where might we build a new plant? Should we compete at an existing delivery point, or not?
The idea that a wicking treatment – leaving tops, branches, and needles attached to the stem after felling – would reduce stem moisture content and lead to reduced loss of western hemlock logs from sinking during watering was tested. This study did not show that wicking produces a different result from normal bucking in average stem moisture content if both groups are treated equally. Further, after curing for two months logs did not increase in moisture content during watering.
