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Recouping the pruning investment
Authors: A. SomervillePublication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1988, Issue N.Z.J.For. 33(2) 1988, pp 26-27, Aug 1988
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: Over the last three decades, in New Zealand around half a million hectares of Pinus radiata have been butt log pruned. This substantial investment has been supported by long-term regime evaluation exercises. In these exercises it has been assumed log prices would reflect both the clearwood content resulting from pruning and the likely premium paid for clear-wood.
In today's markets, clear timber and veneer realize high prices. However good log quality definition is required before the buyer can pay a premium for pruned logs without incurring undue risk. When a pre-harvest quality definition is required and stand records are not available then it will be necessary to sample the pruned resource in a statistically valid manner. Sample logs will have to be sawn or cross-sectioned to reveal their internal characteristics.