Higher log stiffness means higher prices for lumber, which is why Wood Quality Consulting and Wenita Value Improvement Manager Mark Pearson (pictured) were measuring log velocities in the log stacks at both Dunedin ports in November.
Higher velocity readings indicate greater stiffness, and higher stiffness logs produce stiffer lumber. This lumber can be used in structural applications like building and construction and should lead to higher prices for both forest owners and sawmills.
Otago and Southland are reputed to have low log stiffness, but the last measurements were taken more than 20 years ago. Since then, tree breeding and modern silviculture are known to have increased log stiffness in other parts of the country, and this study is designed to measure the effects down here.
Why do it at the port? It is the fastest way to build a large dataset of log velocities. At the port, all logs are sorted according to length and grade and barcoded with forest location and diameter information. This makes it possible to quickly assess a large volume of logs and correlate those measurements for forest-specific stiffness.
We would like to pass on a big thank you to everyone involved in the Dunedin testing: Log testers Marco and Jonathan from Wood Quality Consulting, Gary and Karen from C3, Chris from NFA and Mark from Wenita. They were all extremely helpful.