Solid Wood and Residue Yield Analysis of Small-Diameter Red Oak Logs (Technical Note‪)‬

Abstract A yield analysis of solid wood and residues from 233 red oak small-diameter logs (6 to 10 inches small end d.i.b.) was conducted. The results indicated that 75 percent of the 1-inch lumber was grade 2 A and 3 A, while the remainder was No. 1 common. The container part yield from the cants ranged from 63 to 66 percent. The total solid wood and residue weight yield included lumber and container parts (35%) chips (29%), sawdust (26%), and bark (10%). This research adds the yield of lumber, cants, residues, and container parts from red oak in the 6- and 7-inch diameter ranges to existing yield data. The lack of upper grade lumber yield in the small-diameter timber (SDT) in this study suggests a log purchasing strategy for lumber manufacturers capable of using SDT and wanting to avoid producing upper grades of red oak lumber. Lumber and pallet part manufacturers could use the yield information in this study to estimate their capability to utilize SDT.