Timber and markets

Worried about their future energy supply, many are turning to wood as a fuel. Reports in the media have however given the use of wood for energy a negative image. So should we have qualms of conscience when heating with wood? In this article, scientists from the Bavarian State Institute of Forestry (LWF) examine the points of criticism and present facts and figures on the issue.

The wood of the spruce possesses good physical-mechanical properties with a comparatively low weight. Among other things it is a very prized structural and industrial timber.

The wood of the oak is not only decorative, but it also possesses excellent qualities. As a result, there are a number of possibilities for its use. It is an indispensable resource especially for coopers.

The beech is the most important broadleaved tree species in central Europe and will become an all-rounder for the modern world due to the excellent technical aspects of its wood. At the same time, its ecological advantages are helping to make our forest stands more stable and productive.

The worst enemy of the cuttings on a short-rotation plantation is the understorey vegetation - particularly on former grassland areas. Soil cultivation and herbicides are the usual counter-measures. But are there alternative ways to counter understorey vegetation? The Bavarian State Institute of Forestry (LWF) conducted trials to find out.

To what extent does silviculture affect the properties of sawn wood? How can the forester optimise the strength of building timber? What influence does the spacing of trees at the early juvenile stage in Douglas fir stands have later on the potential uses of the Douglas fir timber? And how can the sawn wood yield be optimised? All these questions must be taken into consideration in the cultivation of Douglas firs.

Forest woodchips are produced from many different raw materials and using a wide variety of different processes. The quality thus varies considerably. For the furnaces to work smoothly, however, certain standards of quality are necessary.

You are going to plan a dry storage for timber? Everything to be considered is listed in this recommendation.

The simplest way to store storm-damaged timber is the storage over bark alongside forest roads - if the period of time between processing and transport to the customer is known.

It is possible to leave storm-damaged trees for up to two years in conservation without processing, if certain conditions are met.

Advantages and drawbacks of wet storage at a glance.

How to prepare suitable wet storage sites.