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Western Hardwoods Value-Added Research and Demonstration Program

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Western Hardwoods Value-Added Research and Demonstration Program United States Department of Agriculture Western Hardwoods Forest Service Value-Added Research and Forest Products Laboratory Demonstration Program Pacific Northwest Research Station State and Private Forestry Pacific Northwest Region General Technical Report FPL-GTR-85 Abstract Highlights Research results from the value-added research and demonstra- In 1992, a Congressionally funded research and demonstration tion program for western hardwoods are summarized in this program was established to help communities and industries report. The intent of the program was to enhance the econ- in the Pacific Northwest more efficiently use western hard- omy of the Pacific Northwest by helping local communities woods. Studies in this program evaluated several products and and forest industries produce wood products more efficiently. processes. The following are the more promising conclusions Emphasis was given to value-added products and barriers to regarding these products: increased utilization. The program was coordinated by the Modem pallet designs require more accurate design data Pacific Northwest Research Station, the Pacific Northwest than has been available for red alder pallets. Results of the Region of State and Private Forestry, and the Forest Products red alder pallet study, already incorporated into the Pallet Laboratory. Design Software of the National Pallet and Container Association, indicate that pallet load capacity will increase Keywords: Western hardwoods, Pacific Northwest, products, as a result of this new information. properties, markets, management, policies, pricing, red alder, Oregon, Washington Studies indicate that red alder and bigleaf maple can be used to produce oriented strand lumber (OSL), a composite prod- uct, with properties that equal or surpass those of solid- sawn lumber made from commercial softwood species. OSL may replace nonstructural solid members in the furni- ture industry or millwork stock in the housing industry. Blockboard, a composite product that combines high-value face veneer with low quality wood in the panel core, was successfully produced on a trial basis using red alder, bigleaf maple, and Pacific yew. Results indicate that blockboard be considered as a new value-added product for the Pacific Northwest. New edging strategies for red alder lumber indicate that significant revenue could be generated in large vertically September 1995 integrated mills by removing less material during edging. California black oak, Oregon white oak, Pacific madrone, and tanoak may be used for products that would perform Green, David; von Segen, William; Willits, Susan. 1995. Western hard- woods-value-added research and demonstration program. Gen. Tech. similar to existing flooring materials. Typically, these Rep. FPL-GTR-85. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest species are left in the woods as slash after a logging Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 43 p. operation or end up as firewood or pulpwood. A limited number of free copies of this publication are available to the Lack of information about western hardwoods also hinders public from the Forest Products Laboratory. One Gifford Pinchot Drive, efficient use. This research program provided the following: Madison, WI 53705-2398. Laboratory publications are sent to more than 1,000 libraries in the United States and elsewhere. Data on drying three hard-to-dry species: chinkapin, ma- drone, and tanoak. The use of trade or firm names in this publication is for reader information and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of Calibration factors for two common types of hand-held any product or service. moisture meters for nine hardwoods. Precise control of moisture content is critical; previously, only approximate The Forest Products Laboratory is maintained in cooperation with the factors could be determined using data from other species. University of Wisconsin. A compendium on the biology, management, and process- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimi- ing of 10 western hardwoods. This information had been nation in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, scattered among many, sometimes obscure, publications. religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication Significant information on policy, pricing, and harvesting of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact issues affecting Northwest hardwoods. the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720-2791. To file a com- plaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, The success of this program will be measured by the contin- Washington, DC 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice), or (202) 720-1127 ued health and diversity of the western hardwoods and the (TTD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer. community that depends upon this resource. Western Hardwoods Value-Added Research and Demonstration Program Edited by David Green,* William von Segen,** and Susan Willits*** *Supervisory Research General Engineer USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory One Gifford Pinchot Drive Madison, WI 53705-2398 **Forest Products Specialist USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry Pacific Northwest Region P. O. Box 3623 Portland, OR 97208-3623 l ** Research Forest Products Technologist USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station P. O. Box 3890 Portland, OR 97208-3890 United States Forest Forest Pacific Northwest State and Private Forestry Department of Service Products Research Station Pacific Northwest Region Agriculture Laboratory Preface To enhance the economy of the Pacific Northwest, a research research and demonstration opportunities came from networks and demonstration program was established in 1992 to help and S&PF technology transfer specialists. communities and local forest industries become more effi- cient in the production of wood products from western hard- Proposals were screened by the steering committee to make woods. Emphasis was given to value-added products and bar- sure that they addressed the needs of hardwood producers and riers to increased utilization. Funding for the program was had the potential to create job opportunities. Emphasis was provided in the Congressional appropriations process. The given to projects that would create knowledge or products in program was coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agricul- direct partnership with users. Prior to initiation of the proj- ture, Forest Service, specifically the Pacific Northwest Re- ects, a one-day workshop was held at the World Forestry search Station (PNW) in Portland, Oregon, Pacific Northwest Center in Portland, Oregon, so that all interested parties Region of State and Private Forestry (S&PF), and the Forest could learn about and comment on the scope and intent of the Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wisconsin. planned studies. To craft a program that would create the most benefit, initial This publication summarizes results of the studies that were input was sought from researchers at the PNW, Oregon State conducted as part of the program. The studies are presented in University, Washington State University, and the FPL. Input two groups. The first relates to specific products from hard- was also sought from representatives of the western hardwood woods. The second group presents information about the industry, the Western Hardwood Association, Forest Service hardwood resource or discusses policy questions. Each sum- rural development coordinators, State Foresters, and state and mary discusses the objectives and results of a particular local economic development organizations. Once general study. Contributors are listed in the Appendix as sources of needs were established, proposals were solicited from the additional information. researchers and industrial representatives. Follow-up meetings were held with the Western Hardwood Association, the Wash- Success of this program will be measured by the continued ington Hardwood Commission, and the Oregon Hardwood health and diversity of the western hardwood resource and the Forest Products Research Committee. Critical input and communities that depend upon it. iii Contents Page Page Products Juvenile/Mature Wood Effects in Two Western Hardwoods: Anatomy and Mechanical Properties . .28 Flexural Strength and Stiffness of Red Alder Pallets: Barbara L. Gartner, Hua Lei, Michael R. Milota, An In-Grade Study . 1 Joel W. Evans, John F. Senft, David W. Green Robert J. Leichti Issues and Policies Red Alder Pallets: Optimizing the Performance of Mechanical Connections and Pallets.. 5 Hardwoods of the Pacific Northwest . 32 Joseph R. Loferski, Marshall S. White, John W. Clarke, Stanley S. Niemiec, Glenn R. Ahrens, Susan Willits, Hector Sosa David E. Hibbs Upgrading Western Hardwoods Utilization Through Oregon and Washington Hardwood Management High Quality Composites . 8 Workshops for Foresters Advising Nonindustrial Roy F. Pellerin, Robert J. Leichti, Jeffrey K. Olson, Private Forestland Owners . 33 Robert J. Ross Glenn R. Ahrens, David E. Hibbs Developing High-Value Blockboard Made of Alder Oregon Hardwood Supply Project . 35 and Other Pacific Northwest Hardwoods.. 10 Michael Barsotti Thomas M. Maloney, M. T. Lentz, R. Allwine, Robert J. Ross Hardwood Price Reporting . 36 Steam Bending Red Alder . 12 Brent L. Sohngen, Richard W. Haynes Stanley S. Niemiec, Terence D. Brown Hardwood Policy Evaluation.. 38 Effect
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