One of the major constraints to the growth and development of a value-added sector for trembling aspen in the solid wood industry concerns the inherent variability in quality of the resource. Much of the resource is simply not suitable for the extraction of lumber grades required to service markets for higher valued wood products, and those logs that are suitable for grade extraction are often difficult to identify. Recent market research details an interest in higher valued grades of aspen, particularly in Asia. On the basis of that market research it is worth investigating the predictive value of an alternative system of identifying aspen logs well suited for the production of high-grade lumber.
This report details the conception and application of an experimental log grade rule for use when evaluating samples of aspen logs. The rule is intended specifically to separate high valued aspen sawlogs from those more suitable for conversion to oriented strand board or pulp. The log grading system presently used to evaluate most hardwood logs that are graded, one developed by the United States Forest Service, has been shown to do a poor job in estimating the value of aspen logs. The new log grade rule was based on the existing system, which was modified slightly to reflect some inherent characteristics of aspen. Three samples each consisting of thirty logs that met the revised criteria were evaluated. Test results reported here show that logs that meet the revised criteria will more consistently meet higher grades of lumber; however, more work must be done to confirm the predictive value of the new rule. In addition the issue of available volumes of logs meeting the revised criteria must be addressed.
AFRI - AFRI-700VA-03 pertaining to Populus - Utilization; Value added - Alberta; Grading - Logs