marketing timber

MARKETING TIMBER:
From Private Land In Alberta
.
'
.-
Koinonia Corporation
4806 - 17th Avenue
Edson, Alberta
T7E IGS
September 1993
>.,
This is a joint publication of the Canadian Forest
Service and Alberta Land & Forest Services pursuant
to the Canada-Alberta Partnership Agreement in Forestry
DISCLAIMER
The study on which this report is based was funded under the Canada-Alberta Partnership
Agreement in Forestry.
The views, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author. The exclusion of
certain manufactured products or company names does not necessarily imply disapproval, nor
does the mention of products or company names imply endorsement by the Canadian Forest
Service or the Alberta Land and Forest Services.
Pub. No.: 1/510
ISBN: 0-7732-1213-2
For copies of this document, please contact:
Alberta Environmental Protection
Land & Forest Services
Main Floor, Bramalea Building
9920 - 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2M4
Telephone: (403) 427-3551
Canadian Forest Service
Regional Development
5320 - 122 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T6H 3S5
Telephone: (403) 435-7210
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0
2.0
3.0
INTRODUCTION............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1
1.1
Timber Regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1.1
Region I--Southwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1.2
Region 2--Foothills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
1.1.3
Region 3--Yellowhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. 1. 4
Region 4--Peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
1.1.5
Region 5--Slave Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
1.1.6
Region 6--Northwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1.7
Region 7--Northeast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
1.1.8
Region 8 --East-Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1.9
Region 9--Prairie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
1.2
Management Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
TIMBER INVENTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7
2.1
Tree Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.1
Douglas-Fir. . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
2.1.2
White Spruce ... '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
2. 1.3
Lodgepole Pine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.4
Black Spruce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
2.1.5
Aspen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
2.1.6
Balsam Poplar .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
2.1. 7
Jack Pine, Tamarack and Balsam Fir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.8
White Birch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
7
7
8
8
8
8
8
9
2.2
Inventory
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Method 1--Fixed-Area Plot Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Method 2--Variable-Area Point Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simple Timber Cruise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . .
9
10
11
12
2.3
Stand and Stock Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
TIMBER PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.1
Manufactured Products and Raw Material Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Lumber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.1.1
3.1.1.1 Softwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Page
3.1.1.2 Hardwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pulp and Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Panelboards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.3.1 Plywood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.3.2 Oriented-Strand Board (OSB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.3.3 Medium-Density Fibreboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remanufactured and Other Value-Added Products . . . . . . . .
3.1.4.1 Sawn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.4.2 Preserved Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.4.3 Laminated-Wood Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.4.4 Shakes and Shingles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.4.5 Manufactured Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. Specialty Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.5.1 Building Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.5.2 Decorative and Handicraft Products . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.5.3 Firewood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wood Residues and By-products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.6.1 Wood Chips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.6.2 Sawdust and Shavings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1.6.3 Bark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unclassified Forest Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
25
25
25
25
26
26
26
26
26
26
27
27
27
27
27
28
28
28
28
28
3.2
Value-Added Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2.1
Overview . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2.2
Value-Added Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2.2.1 Harvesting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2.2.2 Sorting and/or Bucking for Added Value . . . . . . . .
3.2.2.3 Hauling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2.2.4 Sawmill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2.2.5 Post Peeler/Pointer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2.2.6 Firewood Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
28
29
29
29
30
30
30
30
3.3
Market Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3.1
Historical Sketch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3.2
Market Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3.2.1 Rough Lumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3.2.2 Peeler, Pole & Building Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3.2.3 Spruce, Pine & Fir Sawlogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3.2.4 Pine Shakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3.2.5 Aspen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3.2.6 Birch Firewood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
31
31
31
32
32
32
32
32
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.1.4
3.1.5
3.1.6
3.1. 7
11
Page
4.0
MARKETING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.2
Decision Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.3
Decision Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.4
Business Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . 38
4.5
Negotiating a Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4.6
Hiring Contractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
4.7
Finishing the Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
REFERENCES
GLOSSARY OF FORESTRY TERMS
1ll
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
Page
1.
Alberta Timber Marketing Regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
2.
Planning Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.
Determining Sample Trees in Variable-Area Point Sampling. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11
4.
Cumulative Volume Tally Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.
Stand Summary Sheet for Cumulative Tally Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6.
Determining Sample Trees in Fixed-Area Plot Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
7.
Estimating Tree Height By Measuring Angles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
8.
Estimating Tree Height By Equal Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
9A.
Example Plot. Cumulative Volume Tally Form - Pine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
9B.
Example Plot. Cumulative Volume Tally Form - Aspen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9C.
Example Plot. Cumulative Volume Tally Form- Spruce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
10.
Example. Stand Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
11.
Example Form. Decision Tree - Pine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
IV
3
TABLES
Page
Table 1. Example Stand and Stock Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Table 2. Estimated Timber Quantity and Value - Example Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Table 3. Sample Business Plan Showing Mixed Product Revenue/Cost Values . . . . . . . 39
v
....
APPENDICES
Page
Appendix 1. Regional DirecTrees of Timber Purchasers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Appendix 2. Sample Forms for Preparation of Decision Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
.
.
Appendix 3. Some Useful Forestry Conversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
VI
MARKETING TIMBER FROM
PRIVATE LAND IN ALBERTA
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Do you own a tract of forested land, reasonably close to one or more wood-using plants? Have
you decided to sell all or some of the merchantable timber from your land? You may be aware
of purchase prices offered by local mills or the amount of money your neighbor received for his
trees, but are you uneasy about selling without knowing more about your sales options and the
true value of your timber? Do you have little or no technical forestry background? Are you at
a loss to know what kind, how many, and how valuable are your trees? Are you completely
bewildered when timber buyers start talking about "stumpage," "conversion factors," or "cubic
metres per hectare"? If this general description seems to fit, then this publication is for you.
A timber marketing plan, which is the focus of this document, does not exist in a vacuum. It
is part of a much larger picture that includes your personal and business goals for the
management of your timber lands. This larger picture is examined in much greater detail in
other publications available from Alberta Environmental Protection and other agencies.
If you are unsure about cutting and selling your timber, you are strongly urged to do some wider
reading and investigation. Make a definite decision based on the best information you can
acquire and your own sound judgment. Many Alberta landowners gave in to high pressure sales
pitches, signed a contract, had their tiQ1ber logged off, and only then began to wonder why they
did it. Please do not make the same mistake!
The first section introduces you to how the province is divided into market regions, and how
important management planning is to your woodlot. The rest of this publication looks in detail
at Alberta's timber and forest products resources. It briefly describes native trees and then
suggests how you can evaluate your own timber resources. Products manufactured from Alberta
trees are examined, along with their relative values, timber requirements, and specifications.
Also discussed are how you can increase your earnings from your timber, and what marketing
process should be followed. Finally, you are offered some tools to use in assessing and
marketing your timber, and directions to information sources so you may find answers to any
remaining questions.
The purpose of this publication is to acquaint you with basic forestry practices, terms and
information, and to give you some tools with clear instructions. Your job is to sharpen the tools
and make them cut the right way. Good luck, and good logging!
1
preserved wood. Some log home builders also prefer to work with lodgepole pine, and shake
manufacturers use it exclusively. Pine lumber is used for paneling and furniture making, as well
as nearly all other common applications.
2. 1.4 Black Spruce
Black spruce occupies a variety of sites throughout the province. It often grows with tamarack
on very wet ground and with lodgepole pine on drier sites; in fact, this tree mixes quite freely
with all species. Black spruce is likely to be one of the shorter trees in a stand. Its branches
typically extend to the ground. Its dull gray-brown cones are often in clumps near the top of
the tree, and remain attached for many years. Black spruce is very important for pulp, and its
wood makes excellent lumber but it is often shunned by sawmills because of its small size.
2.1.5 Aspen
Long considered a "weed" tree, aspen has only recently come into its own" as a commercial
species, and now is the major species used by many of Alberta's panelboard and pulp mills.
Aspen blankets the province, and is actually the most widely distributed tree in North America.
It is easily recognized by its smooth, greenish-white to cream-colored bark and its oval-shaped
leaves, which "tremble" in a light wind. Besides its use for panel board and pulp, a limited
volume of aspen is made into lumber for pallets, furniture stock and other applications.
2.1.6 Balsam Poplar
Balsam poplar is aspen's "poorer cousin." Similar in size and occupying much the same range
as aspen, mature balsam poplar is easily distinguished by its thick, gray, deeply furrowed bark.
Younger trees are known by their dark green leaves and long sticky buds, especially in the
spring. Balsam poplar tends to be wetter and heavier, and is used in a very limited way for
lumber and oriented-strand board.
2.1.7 Jack Pine. Tamarack. and Balsam Fir
Jack pine has many of the same characteristics as its close relative, lodgepole pine, but is usually
not as large, as taIl, nor as straight. It ranges across northern and eastern Alberta where it is
important for lumber and pulp.
Tamarack (also called larch) grows almost exclusively on very wet ground, usually sharing it
with black spruce. It has strong, hard, heavy and durable wood, and is easily recognized by its
soft needles, which grow in clumps and turn a lovely golden-yellow before falling in the autumn.
It is not commercially used except on a very limited, local scale; nevertheless, its wood makes
excellent posts, lumber and pulp.
Balsam fir grows in moist and higher elevation sites in northern and western Alberta. Its soft,
flat needles with dark green upper surfaces and two silver stripes on the lower surfaces tend to
8
grow on opposite sides of the twig rather than all around. Balsam fir bark is thin, smooth, and
ash-gray with numerous aromatic resin blisters, especially on younger trees. Balsam fir makes
fair pulp and lumber, although it is not a favorite because of its brittle wood and tendency
towards decay and defect.
2.1.8 White Birch
White or paper birch is common throughout most of Alberta. Easily recognized by its creamywhite bark separating into thin, papery layers, this tree with its long, fine branches appears
almost delicate. Its dense, heavy wood is used to make furniture stock and flooring. Birch also
has excellent "fireplace qualities," which is where most of it goes.
2.2 Inventory TechniQUes
The first step in the timber marketing process is to determine what species of trees are growing
on your land and estimate their ages, distribution and general condition. A survey called a
timber cruise generates such information. The timber cruise can be as formal or as informal as
you wish. An experienced person may be able to simply walk through your stand and supply
you with sufficient information for your needs. Usually, however, a more formal process is
desirable. At this point, you must decide whether you will hire someone to undertake this
critical task, or acquire the necessary skills and do it yourself. Both options are reasonable and
examined in more detail later.
Remember that these decisions hinge on your personal goals and priorities, and depend on the
amount of time you are willing and able to devote to the project, as well as on how the
information is used. For example, if you want only to satisfy your own curiosity regarding the
species, volumes and quality of timber on your property, then your personal cruise may be fine.
On the other hand, if you want to sell the timber to a sawmill based on your cruise information,
the mill will likely accept the validity of the data only if the cruise was done by an accredited
forestry professional.
Hiring a professional to cruise your timber may seem like an unnecessary expense to you at
first. Indeed, doing the cruise itself may seem unnecessary. However, if you stop to consider
the overall value of your timber, and that unit prices offered are strongly related to the cruise
data, the cost of acquiring the information begins to pale in comparison with the income you
may forfeit by operating "in the dark." Most forest companies are willing (in fact many
demand) to have their forester do a "reconnaissance" cruise of your timber before making you
an offer, but nothing really substitutes for a proper timber cruise. Before going further, let's
take a closer look at timber cruising itself.
Timber cruising is a statistically valid sampling procedure that determines an acceptably accurate
estimate of the species, volume, diameters, heights, ages and other characteristics of trees in a
stand, with volume by species being the most important information sought.
9
The first step in any timber cruise is to establish the physical boundaries and dimensions of your
property or stand, including clearly marking them on the ground. Few things during your
lifetime will be more embarrassing for you than trying to explain to your neighbor why you cut
and sold some of his trees.
Generally, you, as the landowner, will have obtained accurate information concerni.ng your
land's legal boundaries, landforms, forested and non-forested areas, access, general ground
conditions, and other facts from your close contact with the land over the years. If you do not
know your land well (perhaps it was recently purchased or your holdings are very large), your
first step after marking the boundaries is to become better acquainted with it. Walking over the
land with an observant eye and a notepad (as well as a compass and some means of measuring
horizontal distances) is a good way to begin. You may want to buy relatively inexpensive aerial
photographs (obtainable from Maps Alberta: 427-3520 in Edmonton or 297-7389 in Calgary),
which are helpful for gaining an overall perspective. Ask for 1: 15 000 or 1:20 000 contact
prints when ordering. Stereoscopic coverage is not worthwhile unless you have a stereoscope
and know how to use it.
While you are walking over your land, determine the kinds of information you would like to
collect during the timber cruise. Your data must include tree species, heights, diameters, and
volumes, but may be expanded to include characteristics such as age (obtained by drilling sample
trees with an increment borer or counting the annual growth rings on a recently cut stump),
general condition (note wounds, animal or insect holes, broken tops, evidence of disease or
decay, conks, etc.), and quality of the timber (crooks, large limbs, excessive taper, multiple
stems, etc.). This information will be useful later when calculating your timber's value to
potential buyers.
Timber cruisers use one of two different methods, both of which involve measuring samples
from stands of trees, and then applying the information to the whole stand in the same way
survey groups conduct public opinion polls. These cruising methods are described in the
following sections. A simple cruising procedure is then described that you can do yourself, if
you wish. Even if you hire someone to do the cruise for you, it will be helpful to understand
what they are doing and why.
2.2.1 Method 1 - Fixed-Area Plot Sampling
The fixed-area plot sampling method (also called fIXed-radius sampling method) is the older of
the two methods and the easiest.to understand. It can be done without specialized forestry tools
or knowledge and is presented in detail later . The fIXed-area plot sampJing method, as the name
suggests, uses sample plots (usually circular or square) distributed over the survey area
according to some plan to ensure a representative sample. Plots are marked< on the ground and
all trees in the plot are counted, their diameters and heights measured, and their volumes
calculated. The information collected from the sample plots is then summarized and applied to
the entire stand. Alberta Land and Forest Services currently recommend using the fIXed area
plot sampling method.
10
2.2.2 Method 2 - Variable-Area Point Sampling
The variable-area point sampling method (also known as variable-radius sampling or prism
cruising) is the preferred cruising method for many forestry professionals. It is almost
deCeptively simple to use and provides excellent estimates of volume, but unfortunately is much
more difficult to grasp intuitively and requires the use of special optical devices. One of the
drawbacks of this method is that it places more emphasis on the larger diameter trees in the
stand, so it may not be as appropriate for use in stands with many small diameter trees. .
Variable-area point surveying may be a difficult concept for you to grasp. You are not
encouraged to try it yourself, but if you hire a forester to cruise your stand, this method may
be used, so some basic knowledge is helpful.
At the heart of this cruising method is the idea that each tree in the forest is associated with its
own circular plot, and the size of its plot is directly proportional to the diameter of the tree. If
you can visualize a field covered by many circular rings, all quite large but of different sizes,
you will begin to get the idea. Since the rings are of different sizes and randomly scattered
about the field (like trees in a forest), they will overlap one another - indeed many of the smaller
circles will lie completely within the larger ones.
Now set up a sample point (like a golf flag) in the field. The rings represent the trees in the
forest and the flag represents the sample point (Figure 3). The trees whose rings enclose the
sample point are counted and measured. Because larger trees are assigned larger circles, they
are more likely to be included in the sample than smaller trees are. In variable-area point
sampling, foresters use an optical device (prism) to determine which treeS are win wor WoutWof
the survey sample.
~---
;~
0.
4
is the sample point, numbers represent trees and each ciIcle represents the plot size for
that tree. Tree number 1,3 and 5 are win wthe sample; trees 2,4 and 6 are Woutw.
FIgUre 3. Determining Sample Trees in Variable-Area Point Sampling
11
2.2.3 Simple Timber Cruise
This section describes a simple timber cruise you can do yourself with or without the purchase
of specialized equipment. You should have already walked over your land and marked its
boundaries. This would have given you a general sense of the ground and timber conditions,
and allowed you to select the kinds of information you want to collect during the cruise. You
are now ready to begin your timber cruise using the fIXed-area plot sampling method described
earlier.
Before you begin, visit your local Alberta Land and Forest Services' office and pick up copies
of the ·Cumulative Volume Tally Forms" together with a "Stand Summary Sheet" (Figures 4
and 5). These forms allow for field compilation of volumes by incorporating appropriate volume
tables. The tables enable the user to visualize different volumes of timber in the field. If the
forms are unavailable locally, get them from the Forest Management Division in Edmonton
(427-8401): Be sure that you have at least one Cumulative Volume Tally Form,for each species
of tree present on your land, and that they are for the correct Volume Sampling ,Region (ask the
Forest Officer). The plot radius, survey plot area, and stand multiplication factors are printed
on each sheet, and spaces provided to record individual trees and total numbers of both
merchantable and unmerchantable stems.
A merchantable tree is one having commercial value to a timber processor. In Alberta such
trees are usually those larger than 15 cm (6 in.) in diameter at the stump, but this standard
varies with purchasers and products (for example, pine timber used for posts can be somewhat
smaller).
The plot sizes used with these forms are either 200 m2 (0.02 ha) with a radius of 7.98 m (26.18
feet), or 100 m2 (0.01 ha) with a plot radius of 5.64 m (18.50 feet). These dimensions are
marked on each tally form, and must be used consistently throughout the survey. The use of
these forms is described in the final paragraphs of this section.
Next, you must select a survey pattern to sample your land at the required intensity. The
number of plots measured will change with the variability of your timber and the desired
accuracy of your results. Highly variable stands (wide variation in height, density or species)
require more plots to obtain the same accuracy of estimate. So do surveys where you require
a very precise estimate of volume (e.g. sale is based on cruised estimate rather than scaled
volume). Plan for a minimum of two plots per hectare of forested land or 30 plots (whichever
is less). You should distribute the plots so that each discrete stand (group of similar trees) gets
at least three plots and stands that covet' more area get proportionately more plots to make up
the total sample.
12
I
I
I
I
I
f
i
Figure 4. Cumulative Volume Tally Form
13
o - cross section of tree at breast height
X - plot centre
t - plot radius
Figure 6. Determining Sample Trees in Fixed Area Plot Sampling·
,
T
"
' ....
tree
height
_______ "0%
... ..-
Where IT = % reading to top of tree
TB = %reading to bottom oftree
HD = horizontal distance
Height = (TI-TB) x HD x .01
""', ,
" ,
........ ....
'" ....
,,
,,
,
slope" _____
..-"-
....... ..........
::::~
.........
.... .!:..-:.,;..-;,.......
_--
horizontal distance
(corrected for slope)
Figure 7. Estimating Tree Height by Measuring Angles
16
measured and the height of the know object. For example, if a 2 m pole appears to be 10 mm
in height and the tree appears to be 85 mm in height, then the height of the tree is 2 m x 85/10
= 17 m (55.8 feet) Figure 8.
90mm
80mm .
70mm
60mm
30nvn
.. ... ....
20mm
....
.......
... ..
....
... ...
... ,
10mm
... ...
... ...
,,
ie
,
N
"
" ,,
,,
"
" ,,
,,
---------------------------------- ----.-
------
Figure 8. Estimating Tree Heights by Equal Sections
17
...
Diameter measurements are made at breast height (1.3 m above the point of germination), and
are recorded in centimetres to one decimal place. This measurement, called "dbh" is most easily
obtained using a special tape measure called a diameter tape that directly converts circumference
measurements to diameter readings. Measuring can also be done with a regular tape measure,
then manually converting circumference to diameter by dividing by 11" (3.1416). You must be
careful to get accurate measurements of the tree's exact cross section (be sure the tape is
horizontal and does not wander up and down as it goes around the stem). Be careful, too, that
your measurements are taken at exactly "breast height, " avoiding limb stubs, branch swellings,
or other abnormal protrusions on the stem.
The cumulative volume tally forms are designed to allow you to calculate timber volumes in the
field. Simply follow the instructions to calculate, by species, both numbers of stems and
merchantable volume per hectare found on each plot. Since volume tables and plot factors are
incorporated into the tally cards; each tree tallied is directly converted into volume per hectare.
For example, one tree 20 cm in dbh and 20 m high represents a volume of 15rrr/ha. Figure 9AC shows an example of how to complete the form for one plot. Each card . tallies a different
species on the example plot. If you use the same sheet for more than one plot, separate your
data by plots so that it can be properly recorded on the Stand Summary Sheet.
The Stand Summary Sheet is used to summarize the results from all of your plots and to compile
merchantable volumes and number of stems for each stand. Figure 10 shows an example which
uses plot information from six plots (including the sample plot represented by Figure 9A-C).
(Please note that this example uses six plots so that the summary can be completed on one page.
A stand this size should have at least 30 plots.)
Proper use of these forms is explained in the (Detailed Cruising Manual listed in References.)
If you have questions of the use of these forms or procedures, ask a forest officer to explain
them further. It would also be a good idea to discuss your findings with someone knowledgeable
in forestry before presenting them to potential buyers.
2.3 Stand and Stock Tables
A stand table shows tree frequencies for a specified parameter such as diameter class. A stock
table shows volume information rather than tree frequencies. Although the Stand Summary
Sheet shows volume by species it does not classify the stand by size classes. This information
is very important to your potential buyers.
The information to compile stand and stock tables is on the cumulative volume tally forms.
Determining volume and number of stems by species and size class, will permit you to make
more detailed estimates of the product breakdown your stand could produce. For brevity, stand
and stock tables can be combined into one table. Table I is an example of a stand and stock
table for your example stand. The vertical lines on the right hand of the table represent products
that can be produced from each diameter class (as diameters increase, so do the number of
potential products).
18
50
3
280
FIgUre 9A. Example Plot CumuJative Volume Tally Form - Pine
19
18
Figure 9B. Example Plot Cumulative Volume TaDy Form - Aspen
20
Figure 9C. Example Plot Cumulative Volume Tally Form - Spruce
21
STAND SUMMARY
CRUise ORDER NO.:
STAND NO.:
VSR:
11 Y S1'"'ANJ>
I
1/0.0
1./
UllLlZA1l0N:
,s/" ~.,/o... ): 1~17
lWP-RG-MER:
I
2
3
l/
S
"
TOTAl./-j(
WHIlE
SPRUCE
Sf
-
1'12
--
31
S~~~
PINE
PAGE NO.:
c'b~F~
290
12q
NO. OF PLOTS:
TOTAL~OSS MS'lCHANTMLI
ASPEN
BALBAM'
POPLAR
18
-
-18
1'5
-
DE~~:US
-
-5
1/-2
171
of I
. f1ar IS,I'IQ3
MAP TYPE:
BA~~AM
I
DATE'
STAND AREA (ha)
FIELD TYPE:
GROSS MERCHANTABLE VOLUME BY SPECIES {m'" 3/ha)
PLOT NO.
CPos+s)
VOLUME 11II""hal
OONl'tR
DE~IDUDU8
~31
12~
18
1112.
- 171
-6 "Ssr
3(
Lf7
-
.HHAL
6
MS'lCHANT.
CONFER
BTEMS
hal
(P.,
UN MEA CHANT.
CONFER
STEMS (pe, hal
3'tf!l
550
So
12Cf
&'00
!)50
500
100
ISG(
18
171
183
?J7
'8
550
'100
-
50
-
/00
.
*l~7
I~
?Jkz"
OPERATIONALCRUISE CALCULATIONS
~
40
"
GROSS MERCHANTABLE VOLUME em'" 3/ha)
GROSS MERCHANTABLE STAND VOLUME (m'" 3/ha)
CULL(%)
N:T MERCHANTABLE STAND VOLUME(m'" 3)
q~2 I~o
CONIFER
DECIDUOUS
TOTAl.
11.>2-
,,"'''0
20
7"8
182
7:258
"Z~"
750
'3~
Figure 10. Example Stand Summary
22
I~ ~~5 ~~
JO
'%
7~/fIf>
80/40 DECISION (%)
PEFCENT MERCHftNTABLE
CONIFER STEMS
q5%
~h.
Table 1. Example Stand - Stand and Stock Table
Diameter
Class
.
Total stems
gross merchantable volume
(-')(1)
spruce
birch
pine
(em)
'Dine
14
4250
414
16
2500
300
18
2300
368
20
1400
22
1200
1400
24
1100
1000
26
1200
28
900
576
30
100
518
32
400
336
34
200
192
300
SPruce
aspen
birch
Product Size Banse
pOSts ,pulp, firewood
8&w10 a,GSa b01t
364
12
384
448
350
484
400
1200
648
shake b10cks
126
600
36
200
230
38
200
204
40
42
44
46
48
bui1c1i.ng 10g
pee1er 10gs
50
52
54
60
90
171
210
56
58
(I)
60"
120
Total
16330
213
2890
1550
300
4968
..
1492
126
12
14 em diameter class calculated to 1 em top, all other classes to 11 em top
23
po1es
3.0 TIMBER PRODUCTS
3.1 Manufactured Products and Raw Material Specifications
Forest products manufacturing companies in Alberta and B.C. produce a full range of wood
products from a wide variety of timber species. Not all mills, however, manufacture the same
or even similar products, nor do they use all sizes or species of Wood. In order for you to
realize the best return for the particular size and species mix of timber present on your land, it
is important for you to know something of the kinds and relative values of products that could
be manufactured from that timber. Some of the values of these products are directly
comparable; other values are more difficult to assess, but familiarity with the end products will
help you to make the best decision. A summary of the range of timber and wood products
manufactured by buyers of Alberta private timber follows, together with approximations of their
relative values.
3.1.1 Lumber
3.1.1.1 Softwood
By far the major consumer of private timber in nearly all regions of the province, the softwood
lumber manufacturing sector produces a wide variety of products. These products include
dimension (including machine stress-rated) lumber, boards, studs, export sizes and grades,
railway ties, rough sawn timbers, decking and planks, fingerjointed and laminated stock, clears,
moldings, paneling, and a variety of specialty components. At the time of writing (March
1993), lumber prices are high, which is reflected in current timber values.
Timber sold for the manufacture of softwood lumber is usually of mixed coniferous species
(commonly called S-P-F to include spruce, pine, balsam fir, and possibly tamarack), although
some mills prefer one or more of these species, usually white spruce or lodgepole pine.
Douglas-fir has its own category. Individual trees with butt sizes of 15 cm (6 in.) and larger
are normally accepted, but if your timber has an unusually high percentage of 15 cm trees it will
likely be discounted in price. Conversely, if it contains substantial quantities of large diameter
trees, your timber will qualify for a premium price at most mills. Trees are usually delivered
to sawmills in tree-length form (timber going to B.C. is bucked to fit the highway trailers used
for transportation). Alberta mills typically buy wood by the tonne while B.C. mills will quote
purchase prices either in dollars per tonne or dollars per m'. If you are "shopping around" be
sure that you compare apples with apples, and get your quotes all in the same units of
measurement. The softwood lumber conver~ion factors used by most mills range from 780 kg
to 900 kg per m3. Ask each mill for the exact conversion factor they will use for your wood,
or have them convert their quotation to more familiar units.
3.1.1.2 Hardwood
Very little timber from Alberta's hardwood species (mainly aspen, balsam poplar, and birch)
24
finds its way into the lumber market. Small quantities are sawn into planking, lumber, and
boards used for some construction purposes. In addition, some hardwood is used in the
manufacture of pallets, furniture, paneling, and other specialty markets, but volumes are small.
3.1. 2 Pulp and Paper
Alberta presently supports several kraft pulp mills as well as one newsprint manufacturer, one
chemimechanical (CMP), and one chemithermomechanical (CTMP) pulp mill. In addition, both
Edmonton and Calgary are home to facilities producing roofing materials from wood pulp, and
there is a CMP/fine paper mill on the drawing board for northwestern Alberta. Pulp mills in
B.C. were not surveyed. Pulp mills use large quantities of both coniferous and deciduous wood
fibre (although not always at the same mill). Wood chips purchased from sawmills are a major
source of supply for pulp mills. Mills also purchase logs - either aspen or the poorer quality,
smaller-sized coniferous species such as black spruce and small lodgepole pine. Trees for wood
chips are priced lower than the larger wood destined for lumber production. However, many
of the pulp mills in the province are integrated with sawmills on the same. site, so the softwood
lumber guidelines noted above (Section 3.1.1.1) will usually apply. You can, however, expect
stumpage rates (the value of standing trees) to be lower for timber sold as pulpwood than for
the equivalent trees sold for sawlogs. Mills usually prefer to have logs delivered in tree-length
form, but most also accept shorter logs if you prefer. Pulp logs are normally purchased by the
tonne, and prices will seem low compared to sawlogs.
3.1.3 Panelboards
3.1.3.1 Plywood
l. ..
Alberta presently has one plywood plant in Edmonton and a veneer plant in Slave Lake.
However, just across the border in B. C. there are several plywood facilities, so a competitive
market exists for the larger sizes of softwood timber (especially·white spruce and Douglas-fir)
known as peeler logs. Peeler logs may be delivered in tree-length or bucked form, and usually
command a premium price. You should keep in mind, however, that separating the premium
peeler logs from a sawlog sale may downgrade the value of the remainder of your sawlogs.
Careful analysis is necessary for you to decide your best option.
3.1.3.2 Oriented-Strand Board (OSB)
Alberta has three OSB plants and there is one in Dawson Creek, B.C. They all use aspen as
their primary feedstock, although a certain proportion of balsam poplar is accepted. Three of
these mills presently buy aspen logs in 254-cm or 257-cm (100- or IOI-inch) lengths with a
minimum top diameter of 9 cm (3.5 in.) while the fourth accepts tree-length logs, although all
of these policies are under review. It was mentioned earlier that stumpage rates for aspen are
currently much lower than for coniferous sawlogs, and although these rates are currently under
review, they are expected to remain significantly lower.
25
-
3.1.3.3 Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF)
The MDF plant at Blue Ridge does not purchase timber directly because MDF is manufactured
from sawmill residues.
3.1.4 Remanufactured and Other Value-Added Products
3.1.4.1 Sawn
Many businesses buy rough lumber and cants to remanufacture into finished lumber products as
well as specialty items such as lathes, kiln stickers, drill sticks, survey stakes, and so on. A
later section covers these value-added products.
3.1.4.2 Preserved VVCK>d
VVith its large agricultural industry, Alberta is a major marketplace for fence posts. Fortunately,
we also have the means to satisfy that market with our numerous stands of small lodgepole and
jack pine. These stands are readily converted to posts, which range in size from 1.8 m (6 ft.)
long with a 5-cm (2-in.) top up to 3 m (10 ft.) long with an 18-cm (7 in.) top with the larger
end of the spectrum being somewhat open-ended as posts grade into poles and rails. Posts can
be sold "as is" or for further treatment to one of the many treating plants across the province.
Prices for post materials are currently somewhat depressed. Despite lower than average prices,
making posts from these very small diameter trees should still yield a higher return than selling
such trees for pulp or even highly discounted sawlogs.
Straight, large-diameter pine may be sold to treatment plants for poles, and usually commands
premium prices. Pole specifications tend to be very exacting though, and more than average
care is needed to separate and process this material.
Other preserved wCK>d products produced from Alberta timber include pressure treated lumber,
timbers, landscape materials, and preserved wCK>d foundations.
3.1.4.3 Laminated-VVCK>d Products
Laminated beams and trusses are manufactured from Alberta lumber, as are finger-jointed and
edge-glued lumber. Since these products are made from manufactured lumber or waste products
from sawmills, they will be of little interest to you.
3.1.4.4 Shakes and Shineles
The pine shingle industry in Alberta is a relative newcomer on the scene. Although pioneer
families used pine shingles extensively, they have been approved under the various municipal
building codes for only a few years. However, it is a growing industry and worthwhile for
timber sellers to investigate since few of the present operators have a committed wCK>d supply
26
from public land. Manufacturers purchase pine timber, boards and/or 61-cm (24-in.) blocks.
Prices paid will vary with locality and delivered form, but should be comparable to, or exceed,
the S-P-F sawlog market.
3.1.4.5 Manufactured Products
A variety of plants across the province produce a wide range of products such as pallets, wire
reels, fencing and outdoor building supplies, profiled boards and paneling, doors, furniture
stock, moldings, and sO on. Since these manufacturers buy only manufactured wood products
they will be of little interest to you.
3.1. 5 Specialty Products
3.1.5.1 Building logs
The market for building logs in Alberta is relatively small, but is widely distributed around the
province and can be attractive if you have good quality building logs on your land. Premium
prices (usually per tonne, per thousand fum, or per lineal foot) can be expected, but quality
specifications are stringent. Log builders typically want larger diameter spruce and/or pine logs
in various lengths, with specified top diameters, low taper, and straight grain. A sample of log
builders is provided in the DirecTrees (Appendix 1), but check the Yellow Pages of your
telephone book for the builders closest to you.
3.1.5.2 Decorative and Handicraft Products
These products use burls, diamond willow and similar special lumber sources. The market is
local and opportunistic with little organization, so it is not addressed by this publication.
3.1.5.3 Firewood
Ready firewood markets are available in major centers where marketing and distribution
infrastructures are already in place. Dealers buy firewood in many forms: tree-length logs,
stove-length blocks, split or unsplit. Birch is the preferred species, but many dealers also buy
conifers and other hardwoods at lower rates. Purchase prices vary with species and deliveredform of wood, ranging from about $90 to more than $120 per cord (a cord is a stack of wood
measuring 1.2 m x 1.2 m x 2.4 m [4 ft. x 4 ft. x 8 ft.]). Most dealers prefer to buy fresh-cut
wood in the early spring, which allows the wood to season over the summer. Check the Yellow
Pages and classified ads in the cities for distributors. Local firewood maJ'kets in rural areas are
varied. You should inquire locally about sales.
27
-,
3.1.6 Wood Residues and By-products
3.1.6.1 Wood chips
Both softwood and hardwood chips are purchased by Alberta mills, but such specialized products
are impractical for landowners to make since they require capital intensive processors.
3,1.6.2 Sawdust & Shavinl:s
Although there are limited markets for sawdust and shavings as components of hog fuel, animal
bedding, mulch, and compressed fuel pellets and firewood logs, most private landowners are not
in a position to enter these markets even if they have the wood residues to supply. These
categories will not be addressed further.
3.1.6.3 Bark
Although a limited bark market exists for hog fuel, animal bedding, decorative chips, mulch,
and handicrafts (i.e., birch), these prospects are not discussed further.
3.1.7 Unclassified Forest Products
Products other than those noted above can be harvested from private forest land. For example,
Christmas trees, boughs, and cones find ready seasonal markets and are relatively easily grown,
but require substantial labor to make a commercial venture feasible. (See Growing Christmas
Trees in Alhena listed in References.) In general however, a mature forest stand does not
produce good Christmas trees because of the form and condition of the trees normally present
in such stands.
The same thing is true with transplant stock. There may be good local markets, but expect them
to be difficult to supply given the trees you are likely to own.
3.2 Value-Added Products
3.2.1 Overview
Value-added products are just what the name implies - products made more valuable by extra
effort. Your timber presently has a certain value as it stands in the sunshine on the south
quarter. Its value is determined by what others are willing to pay to have you sign on the dotted
line. If you choose, that is all you have to do; the buyer will do the rest of the work. On the
other hand, you the landowner may choose to put more work into the timber yourself, or spend
more money on machinery to handle and/or process it, or both (usually both). In so doing, you
will increase the value of your wood to others, who are then willing to pay you more for it.
There is no set formula attached to this process. It is governed by the forces of supply and
demand.
28
The range of options available to you depends on your particular talents and interests as well as
on the time and money you are able to devote. Your range of viable options is also determined
by the scale of the value-added processes you are interested in, and whether you are willing to
share the work, risks and rewards with others. For example, if you own just a few hectares of
coniferous timberland, it does not make economic Sense for you to invest in a sawmill to saw
the timber in order to sell the higher priced lumber rather than raw logs. However, if several
of your neighbors have similar small forests, and if you can work together without losing your
friendship, it may make economic sense to buy a mill jointly and saw all of your wood together.
Local economic conditions and markets, the range of resources available to you, and your
personal priorities and scope for imagination are your only limiting factors. The main ingredient
for planning value added opportunities is a creative imagination, which only you can supply!
The following list of options is merely a short list of some of the possibilities.
3.2.2 Value Added Options
3.2.2.1 Harvesting
Harvesting your timber means felling the trees, cutting their limbs and tops off, skidding them
out to where a truck can pick them up, and sometimes bucking (cutting) the stems into exact
lengths required for specific products. The amount and kind of work you must do will depend
on the customer's specifications, and may vary with the different species you harvest. Although
most timber harvesting is done with specialized forestry machines, you may already own the
basic equipment needed for this job - a chain saw and a tractor or draft horse. More important
than machinery is skill and training. Logging, and especially felling, is very dangerous work.
You can easily pay with your life for careless or unskilled work habits so it is especially .
important, if you decide to cut your timber yourself, to get some training before you start your
chainsaw. However, if you do decide you want to harvest your own wood, you can add from
about $9 to $15 per tonne to its value, depending on your species and region. Your customer
will usually quote you a price "standing" and another price "at roadside" for you to compare.
The difference reflects their harvesting costs.
3.2.2.2 Sorting and/or Bucking for Added Valye
!
-..>t
...
L
If you decide to do your own harvesting, you can go one step further and possibly add extra
value to your timber by selectively bucking out high value products, like peeler and building logs
or pine shake blocks. You may have noted the word "possibly" in the previous sentence. In
today's lumber market, the traditional pricing distinctions between "high value" logs and "runof-the-mill" logs has largely evaporated, but the balance will likely be re-established. in the
longer term. The viability of this value-added option is determined not only by the markets
available for premium logs, but also the value of the "milk" after removing the "cream."
Again, compare prices, shop around, and do your budgeting homework before signing a
contract. Under the right circumstances, extra effort put into bucking has the potential to yield
good returns on the bottom line, and it is not difficult to do provided you are willing and able
to meet customer specifications.
29
3.2.2.3 Hauling
If you have a suitable truck and the means to load the logs, you may want to consider hauling
your timber to the mill. This value-added option is usually possible whether or not you have
harvested the wood yourself. The returns will depend on your distance from the mill and your
own cost of trucking compared to what the mill would pay a contractor. Here again, get a
quotation from the purchaser comparing the price at roadside with the delivered price. Mills
often
not allow into their yards any truckers who are not fully covered by Worker's
Compensation or other insurance, so check their policies before signing a delivered sales
contract if you are planning to haul the wood yourself.
will
3.2.2.4 Sawmill
Another way to increase the value of your timber is to saw it into lumber and sell the rough
lumber or timbers either directly to local customers, to regional building supply outlets, or to
companies that will further process it into finished lumber. Many such mills are available,
ranging from simple chainsaw attachments to elaborate and expensive affairs with carriage,
headsaw and even edgers attached. Several companies manufacture portable bandsaw or simple
circular-saw mills which can produce an excellent product, especially the bandsaws. The capital
cost of such a mill and the time and cost required to operate it mean that this option demands
a higher degree of commitment than those mentioned earlier, but the rewards can be higher as
well. You should be aware that buying a sawmill usually means committing yourself to a parttime business, and you should treat it as such. Do your homework and budgeting very
thoroughly and carefully, and be wary of basing your decision on temporarily inflated lumber
markets. You should also realize that once you inhale the glorious smell of fresh-sawn lumber,
it is hard to turn your back on it.
3.2.2,5 Post Peeler/Pointer
Another option you may wish to consider, if your timber is smaller diameter pine, is the
manufacture of fence posts. Post-making is a relatively simple way to increase the value of such
timber, and may be a viable option for you. Again, do your homework well before you take
the plunge.
3.2.2.6 Firewood Processor
Alberta's larger centers have good markets for locally produced firewood. Birch is the major
species traded in this marketplace, but other hardwoods and conifers are used as well. Firewood
can be sold to local distributors (see your Yellow Pages) in tree-length form as well as bucked
into 41-cm (l6-in.) blocks or bucked and split. Each of these processing steps adds value to
your product, and may require only minor investments in (easily built) machinery.
For an additional value-added option you may want to go the next step and get into the firewood
30
sales and distribution business on your own.
3.3 Market Values
3.3.1 Historical Sketch
Market prices in the forest products industry, like most other natural resource-based industries
are cyclical, that is, they tend to fluctuate over time. This fluctuation means that forest product·
businesses face either "a feast" or "a famine" depending on where the cycle is at. As a result,
many forest product companies tend to be "integrated" or involved in several different kinds of
markets, producing for example, both lumber and pulp and paper. Since the cycles for these
different markets fluctuate independently of one another, there is less likelihood that both sectors
will be depressed at the same time. For example, at the time of writing, lumber prices are at
an all-time high while pulp and paper prices are depressed. One reason being given for the
current high price of lumber is the withdrawal from timber harvesting of large tracts of public
timberlands in the U.S. for environmental reasons, a trend that is expected to be permanent.
Thus, it is argued, prices will remain high for much longer than usual. However, when it comes
to predicting the future of this business, one guess is often as good as another, and a shot in the
dark with your eyes closed may be as accurate as the marksmanship of the best industry expert.
3.3.2 Market Values
;
:.'
The relative market values of the various wood products you have to sell are discussed very
briefly. Remember market prices can cbange very quickly! Although the values given in the
following sections may be valid at the time of writing (March 1993), they may be completely
irrelevant at the time of reading. In addition, since only about half of the companies surveyed
were willing to discuss their purchase prices, some of the figures given may not cover the full
price range for some products, especially those with few purchasers. Your best defense against
changing prices is to survey a large field of buyers. Usually you will find that prices do not
vary much within the same marketplace. For example, most sawmills pay about the same price
for standing timber (after adjusting for differences in hauling distance and other factors). Even
so, checking a variety of markets will be well worth the effort.
3.3.2.1 Rough Lumber
'.
L
During the time of the survey, prices paid for rough softwood lumber that had been delivered
to remanufacturing plants for finishing and resale ranged from $175 to $300 per thousand board
feet (Mfbm). This wide range of prices reflects the uncertainties affecting the entire lumber
market during the time of the survey. Prices for hardwood (aspen) lumber are less than for
coniferous lumber.
31
..e
,' .
.-
3.3.2.2 Peeler. Pole and Building Logs
Prices for peeler logs occupy the top end of the S-P-F sawlog market, which is discussed in
more detail below.
.
Alberta pole manufacturers tend to import their pole materials from B.C., which suggests that
few Alberta timber producers are willing to separate this higher value material. Prices offered
for lodgepole pine suitable for the largest sizes of poles range as high as $60 per nt at roadside,
or almost double the going rate for sawlogs.
Top prices quoted across the province for delivered building logs were $200 per Mtbm, $50 per
tonne, and $2 per lineal foot. The choice is yours, but they all represent a sizable premium over
Alberta-delivered prices for S-P-F sawlogs.
3.3.2.3 Spruce. Pine and Fir Sawlogs
S-P-F is a general classification of softwood lumber produced from mixed pine, spruce, and fir
timber; sawlogs are simply logs suitable for sawing into lumber products. Sawlog butt sizes
range upward from 15 cm (6 in.), and stumpage prices across the province varied from about
$5 to upwards of $12 per m3 , depending on location. The highest prices in the province are
offered in the Yellowhead region where B.C. timber shortages strongly influence the local
market.
3.3.2.4 Pine Shakes
The pine shake log market roughly parallels the sawlog market, but selected pine logs should
command a premium, especially if you are willing to deliver blocks. Because this is still an
emerging marketplace it is bound to become more competitive, and so well worth watching.
3.3.2.5 Aspen
Aspen stumpage rates generally hovered around $1 to $2 per m3 across the province. These
rates leave plenty of room for price increases in the future.
3.3.2.6 Birch Firewood
Birch firewood prices were discussed in greater detail in an earlier section, and range from $90
to $120 per cord and up.
32
4.0 MARKETING
4.1 Introduction
To this point, this publication has described the general steps necessary for marketing your
timber. It has shown how the province is divided into survey regions and the effect that location
has on timber values. It has described the various tree species in Alberta and how to recognize
and inventory them. It has·reviewed the range of products that can be manufactured from your
wood and their relative values. Now, you must take all that you have learned, add to it your
knowledge of local conditions and marketing opportunities, mix thoroughly with your own good
common sense, and make a decision about selling your timber.
Your decision must be firmly grounded on the foundation of your own personal and family plans
and priorities for your forest property. You must choose who you will sell it to and in what
form, what your costs will be and when they will be incurred, how much revenue you expect
to receive from the sale of wood and whether it is really worth your effort. This step is the
most important part of the whole process. It is also a part that you are very likely to want to
skip over quickly, or miss altogether. Don't!! You will regret it later if you skip this step!
4.2 Decision Process
The decision process is not complicated. By this point, you will have an estimate of the volume
of each species of timber with at least the coniferous timber separated into diameter classes.
This information will give you a reasonable idea of the kinds of markets that you should be
considering for your timber.
Regional directories (DirecTrees) of the major timber purchasers have been compiled for each
region of Alberta, along with some buyers of rough lumber and other forest products (Appendix
I). These DirecTrees, although as complete as the scope of this project allows, are not
exhaustive, and their main focus is on markets for logs. In other words, there are likely to be
other potential markets that you should examine, particularly local markets as well as broader
markets for more specialized products such as sawn lumber. You may not want to restrict your
inquiries to your own region, particularly if you live close to a boundary. The more extensively
you research your sales options, the more likely you are to strjke the best deal. Provincial
markets for firewood and other specialized products are not examined in detail, but you should
have no difficulty filling in these blanks for your local area.
The steps in the decision process are described in detail in the following sections. Briefly these
steps include the following:
-...
:~
~
f·.'
-
•
•
Complete your Decision Trees according to instructions given .
See the Regional DirecTrees in Appendix 1 to choose potential buyers for your timber.
33
•
•
•
•
Collect and add detailed business planning information for any valued-added options
you have chosen (optional).
Complete your business plan.
Make your decision.
Implement your decision.
Remember that you, the landowner, are ultimately responsible for the timber marketing decision
you make. This publication is intended as a guide to assist you in your decision, but do not rely
on this guide solely. Talk to as many people as possible to broaden your information base,
search out your local classified ads, the Yellow Pages, and other advertising media, and read
those publications listed in references that apply to your situation. The more information you
have and the more options you consider, the more likely you are to reach the decision that is
best for you.
4.3 Decision Trees
The Decision Tree forms on the following pages provide you with a framework for deciding who
to sell your timber to in order to maximize your revenue. The Decision Tree data will be used
in your business plan to estimate your gross revenue from timber sales.
In Appendix 2, single Decision Tree forms are provided for each of the major timber groups
found in Alberta (spruce, pine and aspen/birch), as well as one blank form that can be used for
other species such as Douglas-fir. These forms assist you to determine products that your stand
could produce and to assign a market value to each product. If you plan to sell all of your
coniferous timber to a single buyer without separating it into different product categories, use
the most appropriate Decision Tree form (e.g. use the pine or spruce form if all your timber is
going into lumber production) and ignore the sections you don't use. Remember that higher
value timber can be used to make lower value products, but not vice versa. For example, pine
that is suitable for making poles may also be used for lumber or pulpwood production, but small
diameter pulpwood pine cannot be used for poles. You may not use all the product categories,
and if you wish to extend any PURCHASER/PRICE list, continue it on another sheet, the back of
the form, or an adjacent unused column.
After you have filled in the estimated timber volumes suitable for each product category on your'
Decision Tree (be sure your numbers add up), turn to the DirecTree(s) of interest to you
(Appendix I) and begin contacting individual companies, recording each company and their offer
in the "$_ _/_" space.
We continue our field example by showing how the information from the Stand & Stock Table
(Table 1) is used to complete a Decision Tree (Figure 11). Table 2 shows tree volume suitable
for different products and the price quote that will be used in the business plan. Remember that
different products may have prices quoted in different units. You must convert prices to a
common unit (usually $/m3) in order to compare them.
34
When talking to prospective customers have a detailed description of your wood at your
fingertips. A timber buyer's interest focuses on four things: species, volume, size (diameters),
and quality of wood. Questions about these four characteristics will be easiest to answer if you
have on hand a cruise report prepared by a forestry professional, but even if you have done the
cruising yourself most of the information you need is in your Stand & Stock Table. Be prepared
to answer questions about tree species, stand volumes and number of stems per hectare according
to size classes, as well as quality factors such as decay and general stand condition. Purchasers
of peeler and building logs may want information about catfaces, knot (limb) size, taper, stem
straightness, and character of grain.
Most buyers will want to have an employee or agent look at the timber before committing
themselves to a contract, but they should be willing to discuss prices in general terms during
your "market exploration" phase if they believe that you are a bona fide seller. Do not be afraid
to shop around, but at this stage make no commitments and keep the information you gather
confidential. You are compiling information to help you arrive at your own best timber sales
decision; discussing competitor's prices with a third party reflects poor business ethics.
By now, you will have decided how much direct participation you want in the harvesting and
wood delivery process. Most mills are willing to arrange to have these phases completed by
their own contractors if you prefer. Consequently, they are willing to quote you a price for your
timber standing, another price for it decked at roadside, and a third for it delivered to the mill.
Do your homework, and try to record the quotations consistently and on the same basis for ready
comparison .
.,
35
Table 2. Estimated Timber Quantity and Value - Example Stand
Species/Product:
Estimated timber quantity in:
Standard units (2)
Sale units (I)
Business plan prices (3):
Sale units
Standard units
pine
poles
building log
shake blocks
sawlogs
6 ft. fence posts
225 m3
4000 lineal ft
120 cords
3220 tonnes
17,000 pieces
225 m3
100 m3
292 m3
3790 m3
408 m3
$1.50Ilin. ft
$100/cord
$42/tonne
$.55 each
spruce
building logs
peeler logs
sawlogs
2000 lineal feet
85 tonnes
1105 tonnes
50m3
100 m3
1300 m3
$1.50/lin. ft
$60/tonne
$42/tonne
$60/m 3
$51/m 3
$36/m 3
tonfl(~S
680 m3
$22/tonne
$22/m 3
72 m3
$ 120/cord
$50/m 3
$60/m3
$60/m 3
$60/m3
$4 11m3
$36/m3
$23/m 3
aspen
OSB bolts
birch
firewood
680
30 cords
(1)
Conversion to sale units based on author's experience and industry standards.
(2)
Estimated volumes based on cruise data.
(3)
These prices are the ones that you have decided are the best attainable. They are used
in developing your business plan which will include full details. Caution should be used
when comparing prices among categories, since most of them include different cost
inputs, i.e. bucking, sorting, loading, delivery, etc.
36
t
?J
,.
J' ........... ~
f
DECISION TREE
-
.- ..
---~-. - .-.- - -~- -.- - - -
-
- -------
-
-~-.-------.-.-------
puce" ,,!aCC
.A
_ _ _ _--.-;.f!:,_._
$
$
55", Itt'(£)
hO, M,qj
pu(cita sec
P
$
-------_$
-------_$
-------_$
-------_$
-------_$
.55' ,~s
~---...
..
...
--LUMBEi-(-6"-+j--]
( '31QO m3)
BUILDING LoGS (20"+)-]
Straight; low taper; sound~ good grain
( 100 m)
e
Com ptA!ly
$~~
--~Qir--- $ "3'5'1.1\
________ ___
~«
·$~2,~
-----~-$
..
'''''-
,
--~-----------$
o"'y .p,'~J CIte pul-r -
(Cl>uIJ
----.
________~S~_$~~
m3 )
PURCHASERslPRICB
\
PURCHASERS/PRICE
-------_$ '-------_$ '---------_$ '-------_$ ,
~both er;~e~ p;C,lcllJ up itt Y'" ,.J) I POSTS, RAILS & PULP (4"- 8")
( '108
PINE
I·
POLES (24"+)
High quality~ strai.-a.ht; low taper
( 22!) m3)
PURCHASERSIPRICE
I)
-.-----~---.--.-.-------.----.-~-.---.- ~---
iI\W(!st~ i" pu.ru. .. s,,~ f0sl~
------_$
------_$
------_$
------_$
------_$
------_$
------_$
------_$
------_$
- - - - - - - $'
------_$
------_$
'''''''''''''-
------_$_,
(tJ.1I pria!J del"vu~J -fo Wlili)
PURCHASERSIPRtCE
$ (-2SI/,;',
A Be.
It(i)
2. 12.
S /.501Jl!t. fi!J
------_$
1-
-------$.
'____________ $---1_
--------_$S '/.
,
®b"H. p,,,ces ele/t'fIt,If!d
~
fo b" reI)
SHA.ICES& SHINGLES (8"+)
Tight knots; sound
( 2,Q2. m3)
I
PURCHAsERSlPRtCB
Company H SJ!)Qj wd@diVU
__________15
........._ $ 100 IGKJ@el"v~
_____________ $---1_
_____________ $---1_
______________ $---1_
t
~-----------$---1CCo~(Jt/l.I\'1 ,..,. is
Figure 11. Example Fonn - Decision Tree - Pine
37
closer)
4.4 Business Plan
When you have completed the Decision Tree forms to your satisfaction, you must transfer the
information you have gathered to another document that is more suitable for decision-making.
This document, called a business plan, is just a glorified budget. It does not have to be
elaborate, but you should make it complete and accurate since you will eventually base your
harvesting decisions on it.
If you have decided to sell your timber standing, your business plan will be very simple and
provide you with an estimate of the revenue you can expect from its sale. However, if you wish
to evaluate various alternatives such as doing or contracting out your own harvesting and/or
hauling, the business plan should be prepared so as to.give you a basis for comparing your
options. The latter options mean you will incur expenses as well as income, and you must
estimate what your net income will be to have a basis for comparison. Deciding to go one step
further and saw or otherwise further process your timber adds another dimension to your
business plan, but the procedure is the same.
A business plan is a planning document, not an accounting system. You likely have an
accounting system already in place for your farm or other business operations, and your
accounting procedures are readily adaptable to include timber sales. Talk to your accountant
about the best way to do this. Your accounting methods deal with the actual, historical revenues
and costs of you business, whereas the business plan projects anticipated costs and revenues for
a proposed business venture. If you own a personal computer, you can use a spreadsheet
program, but a business plan can as easily be done by hand. A columnar pad with at least two
columns is helpful, and a calculator is necessary.
A simple business plan for a sjngle year is shown in Table 3. You will need to adjust the plan
to satisfy your specific requirements; however, the illustration shows you the kinds of
information needed. Follow the format closely, adapting it to fit your particular market
opportunities and your personal participation in the wood harvesting and delivery process. Of
course, if you routinely work with business plans, use your own style and format.
Costs and activities in this business plan are based on the author'S experience. Estimates of such
costs are an important component of any business plan but details on their derivation are beyond
the scope of this publication. They are provided here simply to illustrate· that the timber
marketing that we have focused on in this publication is only a part of your overall business
plan. The revenue component of the business plan is based on the example we have followed
throughout this report.
38
Table 3: Sample business plan showing mixed product revenuelcost values
Revenues
Product
LocationlProcessing
Net Volume
Poles
Building logs
Shake blocks
Peeler logs
Sawlogs
Posts
OSB bolts
Firewood
Picked up roadside
delivered
delivered
loaded @ roadside
delivered
delivered
delivered
split and delivered
225m3
150 m 3
292 m3
100 m3
5090m3
408 m 3
680m3
72 m3
13,500
9,000
12,000
5,100
181,650
9,350
14,960
3,600
7017m3
249,160
Total Projected
Revenue
Gross Revenue
Costs
1. Direct harvesting & hauling costs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
7017 m3 @ 101m3
680 m3 @ 3.50/m 3
680 m3 @ 9.00/m3
72 m3 @ 121m3
72 m3 @ 101m3
292 m3 @ 71m3
292 m3 @ 81m3
475 m3 @ 51m3
150 m3 @ 71m3
100 m3 @ 21m 3
408 m3 @ 121m3
5090 m3 @ 71m3
Cut, delimb & skid:
Slash aspen:
Load & haul aspen:
Buck & split birch:
Deliver birch firewood:
Buck shake blocks:
Deliver shake blocks:
Process pole, peeler, & building logs:
Deliver building logs:
Load peeler togs:
Deliver posts:
Load & haul sawlogs:
Total projected harvesting & hauling costs
$70,170
2,380
6,120
864
720
2,044
2,336
2,375
1,050
200
4,896
35,630
128,785
2. Direct Planning, Supervision and Other Costs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Contract timber cruising: 3 crew days @ $450/day
Contract road & block layout: 1 day @ $300/day
Contract block road cOnstruction: 8 hr @ $1201hr
Contractor supervision (owner labor): 30 days @ $200/day
Road & landing cleanup & restoration: 8 hr @ $801hr
Construction equipment transportation: 6 hr @ $901hr
Contingency
Total projected planning, supervision & other costs
39
...
1,350
300
960
6,000
640
540
~
10,390
3. Silviculture Costs
•
•
•
Contract site preparation: 40 ha @ $1501ha
Reserve for fin-in planting (Year 4)
Supervision & surveys (owner labor): 6 days @ $200/day
6,000
3,600
.J..1QQ
10,800
Total projected silviculture costs
4. Indirect Costs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Contracts set-up (owner labor): 4 days @ $200/day
Travel (estimate)
Professional fees (estimate)
Bookkeeping (estimate)
Telephone & office expenses (estimate)
Insurance (estimate)
Other
800
1,000
1,500
400
500
300
-.J.QQ
4,800
Total estimated indirect costs
5. Capital Costs
•
None for this project
--
$154,775
Total projected costs
The business plan can be used to assess your strategy. In this example, pine shake blocks
command a premium of $5/m3 over pine sawlogs, however, the additional costs of handling
shake blocks is $8/m 3 • Business plans are not static. They should be changed to reflect new
information. (In this case, sell pine as sawlogs).
4.5 Neeotiatine a Contract
When you have completed your Decision Tree, and decided on a buyer, make- arrangements to
meet with them to finalize an agreement. If possible, ask for a copy of their standard contract
to review before your meeting. They may not be willing to give you one, but if you can read
the contract in advance it will help you to pinpoint areas that you may want to question or
change before signing. Some items in the contract to carefully review include not only price per
unit of measure, but how and when the wood is measured, payment intervals, start-up and
completion dates, who is responsible for what phases (harvesting, hauling, etc.), contractor
conduct and responsibilities, logging methods, damage to land and/or residual trees, owner's
recourse in respect of damages, etc. Most contracts are drafted so that the buyer is protected,
and you are responsible for every conceivable thing that could possibly go wrong, and more
40
besides. Before you sign a contract, remember that you are the only one looking after your
interests. If you are uncomfortable with certain clauses, ask to have them changed or deleted.
The biggest problem with such changes is usually the time it takes to resolve them. The delay
may not be worth the effort but it doesn't hurt to ask. Consult your lawyer. Often the most
expensive advice is none at all.
Do not hesitate to negotiate price or any other consideration with the purchaser, even if you have
definitely decided to sell to them. This is particularly true if your wood is of unusually high
quality, large diameter or volume, or if you are willing to offer unusual extras such as a longterm contract. Some Alberta mills quote purchase prices that vary with distance from the mill
so the closer your wood is to their mill, the less you are offered per unit of (delivered) wood.
Resist this proviso vigorously (unless you are a long way from the mill). Your trees grown next
door to their mill are just as valuable to them as trees grown miles away. Remember that the
mill wants to buy your wood just as much as you want to sell it; maybe more. If you take that
attitude to the bargaining table with you (politely of course), you will be negotiating on a level
field. Remember, too, that trees on the stump are not like hay in the stack. Unless your stand
is very old, it will have just as much valuable fibre next year (actually more!) as it does this
year. You can afford to wait to sell; the. mill may have to buy now.
One final word of advice. Negotiate energetically, keeping in mind all of your options and
alternatives, but negotiate honestly and with integrity. Your customer(s) will appreciate it and
so will your conscience. Demand the same in return, and you will have a solid foundation for
a successful business relationship.
4.6 Hirin& Contractors
If you have decided to let someone else harvest and/or haul your wood, your simplest option is
to have the buyer do so, usually through contractors. However, you may be able to save some
money by hiring contractor(s) and supervising the job yourself. The emphasis on "may" is
deliberate. You are unlikely to be intimately familiar with forestry standards and practices, and
the pitfalls associated with jumping feet first into an unknown business are many, but the
rewards may be worth the risks. Careful comparison of the timber buyer's different purchase
prices (stump versus roadside versus delivered) with your own assessment of your costs for the
same work will guide you in your decision. Know where you are coming from!
Hiring a contractor or contractors to harvest and/or haul your wood is just the same as
negotiating a timber sales contract, only in reverse. In this case, you will be the one to draw
up a contract, negotiate prices, and so on. There are several things that you must keep in mind
if you decide to pursue this option.
Assess your own liability position. Under Alberta law, when a forest company hires a
contractor to cut timber, the company becomes liable for many aspects of the contractor's
business. For example, if the contractor does not pay his employees, the sawmill becomes liable
41
-
for those employees' wages. Check with your lawyer on the extent to which such laws apply
to you when you hire contractors, and be certain to insulate yourself against the effects of the
laws by drafting an appropriate contract.. Your available options include insurance, performance
bonds, holdbacks, and so on.
Your timber inventory position is of critical interest to you and must be constantly monitored
throughout the contract. Initially, you have an estimate of your inventory from the timber cruise
summary you completed, but ~ormally you are paid on actual rather than estimated weights or
volumes. Even though they should be close, the two numbers will never match, so you must
have some means of reconciling differences. You cannot wait until all of your wood is hauled
before you attempt this check since it becomes impossible to positively identify your wood after
it is unloaded in the mill yard. Consequently, you must adopt some method to scale (measure
the volume of) your timber before it leaves your land, or at the very least assure yourself it is
carefully monitored as it is hauled. A scaling consultant can help you develop appropriate
measurement and control procedures, or you can pick up a copy of the Alberta Scaline Manual
listed in References. Alternatively, or along with scaling your trees, consider using a trip ticket
system to tally and track each load leaving your yard. These precautionary steps should be
viewed as control measures because you have very little recourse once your timber leaves your
land. Know where you stand!
Draw up a written contract with your contractor(s). It does not have to be done by a lawyer,
nor does it have to use a lot of fancy words. Your contract(s) should clearly state the work that
will be done, the time allotted, the price(s) to be paid, payment schedules, acceptable standards
of workmanship, and all other details that have a bearing on the contract. It may be helpful to
use your timber sale contract as a model to ensure that all of your potential liability is covered.
A little time and attention to detail now can save much time and money if things go wrong later.
Ensure that the work standards you negotiate with your contractor match those specified by the
purchaser. If you are selling several species or sorting out premium wood, this is particularly
important. Do not be afraid to supervise the contractor's work to assure yourself that the terms
of your contract are being satisfied in every detail.
The busiest time for timber harvesting contractors is during the winter. Spring break-up is a
time when they are nearly all idle, and summertime activity is variable. If your land is suitable
for harvesting during the off-season (well-drained, coarse-textured soils are best), you may be
able to hire a contractor at a lower cost than when they are all busy with other work. Hauling
seasons must conform to local road restrictions, which will vary from municipality to
municipality.
42
4.7 Finishin& the Job
After all of your trees are cut and hauled, after the money for them is in the bank and your
contractors have been paid, after all the work has been done and the job is finished . . . is it?
Probably not. Now is the time to go back to your original decision-making process and see if
your management goals were met. Had you wanted to clear it for pasture? Now is the time to
hire the bulldozer. Did you want to convert it to cropland? Take the next step now. Were you
planning to keep it in forest production? Pi<:k up your seedlings and get them planted.
It is important that you maintain the momentum you have generated through the harvesting phase
because, if you lose that momentum, completing the job becomes increasingly difficult. The
money you now have in the bank from your timber sales is far too easy to spend on that vacation
you always wanted, or a new pick-up truck, or the new addition on the house. Once that money
is gone, you will find it difficult to finish the job as you planned. So, before you use the money
for other things, first set aside funds to finish the task at hand. Remember, the goals and
objectives being fulfilled are to benefit yourself, your family, and your grandchildren. The
alternative is to look at a poor, sorry-looking, broken-down, mismanaged piece of ground every
time you drive by on your way to town. Then you'll wish that you had made the effort.
Good luck, and good management!
!
b
~.
43
-
REFERENCES
Alberta Forest Products Association. 1993. Membership directory. Edmonton, Alta.
Alberta Forest Service. 1993. Detailed cruising manual. Dept. Publication #125. Edmonton,
Alberta.
Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wlldlife, Forest Service. 1988. Alberta Scaling Manual. ENR
Tech. Rep. No. T/63. Edmonton, Alberta.
Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wlldlife, Native Trees of Alberta. Dept. Publication #S/16.
Bamsey, C.R. 1993. Directory of primary wood-using industries in Alberta - 1992. CanadaAlberta Partnership Agreement in Forestry.
Bohning, R.A., and R.S. Brommeland. Directory of secondary wood-using industries in
Alberta - 1992. Canada-Alberta Partnership Agreement in Forestry.
Foal Enterprises Inc. 1987. Aspen shingles and shakes in Alberta. Forestry Canada,
~monton, Alberta and Canada-Alberta Forest Resource Development Agreement, Edmonton,
Alberta.
Fox, H. 1992. Forest belts, a new trial. In Your Woodlot 1(4):5,7. The Farm Woodlot
Association of Saskatchewan. Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
Heit, M.J., and R.A. Bohning. 1988. Secondary forest products industry in Alberta. 1986.
For. Chron. 64(6):461-463.
Husch, B., C.I. MllIer, and T.W. Beers. 1972. Forest mensuration 2nd ed. The Ronald
Press Company. New York.
Jasper Millworks Ltd. and Woodland Resource Services Ltd. 1987. Birch supply, lumber
potential and cost in Alberta. Forestry Canada, Edmonton, Alberta and Canada-Alberta Forest
Resource Development Agreement, Edmonton, Alberta.
Needham, D., W. Phillips, P.M. Woodard, and, L. Constantino. 1991. Growing Christmas
trees in Alberta - a market analysis and feasibility study. University of Alberta, Department of
Rural Economy Proj. Rep. No. 91-08. Edmonton, Alberta.
Ondro, W.J. 1991. Present trends and future prospects for poplar utilization in Alberta. For.
Chron. 67(3):271-274.
Reid, Collins and Assoc. Ltd. 1988. Managing your woodland: a non-forester's guide to
small-scale forestry in British Columbia. B.C. Min. of Forests & Lands, Victoria, B.C. and
Can. Forestry Service. Victoria, B.C.
Silvacom Ltd. 1988. Shingles and shakes from Alberta jack pine and aspen: a feasibility
study. Forestry Canada, Edmonton, Alberta and Canada-Alberta Forest Resource Development
Agreement, Edmonton, Alberta.
44
GLOSSARY OF FORESTRY TERMS
Buck: To cut a felled tree into measured log lengths.
Business plan: A plan identifying markets, customers, expenditures and finances required to
carry out the identified "business", based on projected revenues and costs over a specified period
of time.
Butt: The lower end of a tree or a log from the part of the tree closest to the stump in
preparation.
Cant: A log that has been slabbed on one or more sides by the head-saw for subsequent
breakdown into lumber by other equipment.
Catface: A scar on a tree or log caused by fire or injury to the growing tree.
Clinometer: A hand-held optical instrument used for measuring vertical angles or slopes. Used
in timber cruising to measure tree heights.
Conifer: Cone-bearing trees having needle or scale-like leaves which usually remain on the tree
during the winter. Often called 'softwoods'.
Conk: A fungus growth that extends as a raised body from the trunk of a tree and indicates the
presence of wood-destroying disease; the fruiting body of a wood-decay fungus.
Contour: Represents points of equal elevation above sea level that are connected.
Conversion factor: The ratio of timber weight (kg or tonnes) to volume (m3). For coniferous
species this factor usually ranges from 780 to 900 kg per m3 ; hardwoods are close to 1000 kg
per m3•
Cord: A pile of stacked wood measuring 1.2m x 1.2m x 2.4m (4 ft. by 4 ft. by 8 ft.),
containing 3.6m3 (128 cubic feet) of wood, bark and air.
Crook: A pronounced bend or curve in a log or tree.
Cruise: A field survey of a forest area to obtain general information, often preliminary, on the
forest conditions and timber volumes.
Dbh (diameter breast height): The stem diameter of a tree measured 1.3 m above its point of
germination (on flat ground the germination point is ground level).
45
Deciduous: Broadleaf trees that normally shed their leaves
"hardwood" .
In
the fall.
Also known as
Diameter class: An interval into which all trees having diameter measurements within a certain
range are grouped (e.g. 10-12 cm). All trees in a single diameter class are then treated as
having the same characteristics.
Diameter tape: A graduated tape which, when applied to the circumference of a tree (usually
at breast height), gives a direct reading of the tree's diameter. See dbh.
Fell: To cut down a standing tree.
FIXed-area plot sampling: A timber cruising method using plots of a fixed size (circular or
rectangular) to sample a stand of timber to obtain information (such as heights, diameters and
volume) which is then applied to all the trees in the stand.
Forestbelt: Multiple rows of trees that produce shelter, wildlife habitat and forest products.
Geoflagging: Colored plastic tape that comes in rolls and is used for marking (trees,
boundaries, roads, etc.) in the forest.
Grain: The arrangement and direction of alignment of wood cells in a tree. Normally used
with an adjective such as straight grain, spiral grain, etc.
Gross merchantable volume: The total volume of a log, tree, or stand of trees that meets the
definition of merchantable (see merchantable).
Height class: An interval into which all trees with height measurements within a certain range
are grouped (e.g. 12-15 m). All trees in a single height class are then treated as being the same
height.
Hog fuel: Pulverized wood particles used for industrial fuels.
Increment borer: An auger-like instrument with a hollow bit, used to extract cores or cylinders
of wood from trees with annual growth rings, for increment and age determination.
Landing: Any place where round timber is assembled for further transport to a mill site or other
collection point. .
Merchantable stems or trees: Trees which are of sufficient size, quality, and/or volume to
make them suitable for harvesting and further manufacturing. In Alberta such trees usually
mean coniferous trees larger than 15 cm (6 in.) in diameter at the stump.
Mfbm: Thousand board feet of lumber.
46
Mulch: Organic matter used for soil conditioning.
Net merchantable volume: Gross merchantable volume less deductions for defect (e.g. "rot,
crook, etc.) which effect the amount of finished product that can be produced.
Plot: A carefully located and measured area laid out to obtain sample measurements.
Plot area: The area in m2 of a sample plot.
Plot radius: The distance from the center of a circular plot to the boundary.
Roadside (or at roadside): Location of delimbed or delimbed and bucked trees that are in a
form ready for delivery to the mill and are piled beside an access road where a truck can pick
them up (also called "landing").
S-P-F: The letters stand for spruce (all species), pine (all species), and balsam fir.
classification refers to any mixture of these species.
The
Sawlog: A log of a size suitable for the manufacture of lumber products.
Scarification: A method of seedbed or planting preparation that consists of exposing mineral
soil or planting spots by mechanical action.
Silviculture: The art and science of growing and tending forest trees.
Skidding: The process of moving felled trees or logs from the stump to the landing.
Stand: A community of trees sufficiently uniform in species, age, spacing, and general
condition to be distinguishable as a group from other stands or growth in the area.
Stand factor: 1. A. Number used to convert (by multiplying) sample plot information to per
hectare information. 2. The number of sample plots that would fit into one hectare (10000 m2)
of land.
Stand Table: A summary table showing the number of trees per unit area by species and
"
diameter classes for a stand or type.
Statistical sampling: The selection and measurement of sample units from a larger population
so that the information gathered from the sample units can be used to estimate the same
characteristics for the larger population.
Stereoscope: An optical device used to create a 3-dimensional image from two 2-dimensional
aerial photographs.
47
Stock Table: A summary table showing the volume of trees per unit area by species and
diameter classes for a stand or type.
Stratum: A subdivision of a forest area to be inventoried. A stratum may consist of one or
more forest stands that are similar in some characteristic (usually volume).
Stumpage: The price paid to a landowner for standing timber.
Sweep: Move progressively and continuously through a 360° arc around a point.
Taper: The change in diameter of a log or tree relative to its length. Trees with high taper
tend to be more cone-shaped; those with low taper tend to be more cylindrical in form.
Tree Density: A measure of the number of trees per unit area of ground.
Variable-area point sampling: A method of timber cruising in which sampling area (plot size)
varies with individual tree diameter.
VSR (volume sampling region): A region within Alberta wherein trees of each species are
sufficiently uniform to permit the same volume conversions to be used in calculations.
48
Appendix 1 - Regional DirecTrees of Timber Purchasers
The Regional DirecTrees of Timber Purchasers are compiled from data collected during early
1993. They list many primary wood-using industries in Alberta as well as a large cross-section
of B.C. firms purchasing Alberta timber, all responding log home builders, and a representative
selection of secondary wood-using industries. Many firms are listed in more than one
DirecTree, depending on their plant location(s). The products manufactured by each plant or
company are listed in descending order of value in most instances. The current marketplace has
blurred these value classifications, so traditional ranking criteria are used. Manufactured or
partially manufactured products purchased by the companies are enclosed in square brackets
under the "Products Manufactured [Purchased]" column.
:~.
'"
49
PRIVATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 1 -- SOUTHWEST
Mdl
Location(s)
Company
Atla!! Lumber (Alberta) Ltd.
Box 300
Blairmore, AB TOK OEO
Cowley Forest Products Ltd.
P.O. Box 61
Cowley, AB TOK OPO
Crestbrook Forest Industrie.'I Ltd.
Box 4600
Cranbrook, BC VOK 2BO
Downie Street Sawmills Ltd.
Box 800
Revelstoke, BC VOE 2S0
Evans Forest Products Ltd.
Box 170
Golden, BC VOA I HO
Great Northern Shake Mills Inc.
Box 427
Cochrane, AB TOL OWO
Moose Mountain Log Buildings
Box 26
Bragg Creek, AB TOL OKO
Natal Forest Products Ltd.
Box 149
Coleman, AB TOK OMO
Norse Log Homes
Box 652
Turner Valley, AB TOL 2AO
Shake Masters Manufacturing Inc
Claresholm, AD TOL OTO
--
Contract
Administrator
Volume
(m3/yr)
-Species
Used
Sentinel, Alberta
Frank Fortin
563-3617
Less than
5000
S-P-F
Cowley, Alberta
Dave Cox
628-3991
S-P-F
Douglas fir
Canal Flat!!, BC
Cranbrook, BC
Elko, BC
Revelstoke, BC
Doug Morgan
(604)425-2232
5000
to
50000
5000
to
50000
Less than
5000
White spruce
Douglas fir
More than
50000
S-P-F
. White spruce
-products -Manufactured
[Purcbased]
Metric dimension lumber
Pine shakes
I
Donald, BC
Cochrane, AB
Barry Wagner
(604)837-2222
Huh Henderson
(604)344-8802
(604)344-2736 (home)
john Vancak
932-6236
Pine
Lumber
Poles
[Lumber, timbers)
Dimension lumber
Boards
Laminating stock
Dimension lumber
Timbers
Boards
Plywood
Dimension lumber
Boards
Pine shakes
Pine
Custom built log buildings
Posts & Poles
Studs
[Posts, poles]
Custom built log buildings
S-P-F
Cochrane. AB
Lloyd Beckedorf
932-3992
5000
to
50000
Less than
5000
Coleman, Alberta
George Knight
563-3555
Le.'IS than
5000
Pine
Black Diamond, AB
Maynard Nelson
933-4129
Le.'IS than
5000
White spruce
Pine
Claresholm, AB
Jim Lindemulder
236-1170
5000
to
50000
---'--
50
Pine
Pine shakes
t
'~
t;.--'--..;
,,~~.
ff::""':~
J'~',
~!J
Wr"'1
t";~:~
r""'-"'''-
,.~
.
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 1 -- SOUTHWEST (continued)
Company
Siocan Forest Products Ltd.
Radium Division
Box 39
Radium, BC VOA 1MO
Spray Lake..c; Sawmills Ltd.
P.O. Box 100
Cochrane, AB TOL OWO
Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd.
KarnJoops Branch
Box 40 .
KarnJoops, BC V2C 5K3
Mdl.
Location(s)
Contract
Administrator
Volume
(m3/yr)
Species
Used
Products Manufactured
[Purchased]
Radium Hot Springs,
BC
Gary Elliot
(604)347-9611
5000
to
50000
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Boards
Cochrane. AB
Gordon Lane
932-2234
5000
to
50000
S-P-F
Kamloops, BC
Chris Nelson
(604)828-7700
Dimension lumber
Boards
Timbers
Posts
Dimension lumber
Japan J-grade
51
More than
50000
S-P-F
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 2-- FOOTHILLS
Company
Blue Trail Construction Ltd.
Box 994
Rocky Mountain House, AB
TOM ITO
Creative Log Buildings Alta
Ltd.
Box 298
Cremona, AB TOM ORO
Downie Street Sawmills Ltd.
Box 800
Revelstoke, BC VOE 2S0
Evans Forest Products Ltd.
Box 170
Golden, BC VOA I HO
Great Northern Shake Mills Inc.
Box 427
Cochrane, AB TOL OWO
Moose Mountain Log Buildings
Box 26
Bragg Creek, AB TOL OKO
Rainbow Pine Shakes
RRl, Site 18, Box 12
Sundre, AB TOM 1XO
Rocky Wood Preservers Ltd.
P.O. Box 1537
Rocky Mountain House, AD
TOM ITO
Slocan Forest Products Ltd.
Radium Division
Box 39
Radium, BC VOA 1MO
Md.
Location(s)
Contract
Administrator
Volume
(m3/yr)
Species
Used
Products Manufactured
[Purchased]
Rocky Mountain
House, AB
Ron Lepard
845-4777
Less than
5000
White spruce
Pine
Custom built log buildings
Water Valley, AB
Allan Marr
637-3825
Less than
5000
White spruce
Pine
Custom built log buildings
Revel stoke , BC
Barry Wagner
(604)837-2222
Less than
5000
White spruce
Douglas fir
Donald, BC
Hub Henderson
(604)344-8802
(604)344-2736 (home)
John Vancak
932-6236
More than
50000
S-P-F
White spruce
Pine
Dimension lumber
Timbers
Boards
Plywood
Dimension lumber
Boards
Pine shakes
Pine
Custom huilt log buildings
Cochrane, AB
Cochrane. AB
Lloyd Beckedorf
932-3992
Sundre, AB
Ron Neilsen
638-4380
Rocky Mountain
58
House, AB
Bill Luoma
Radium Hot
Springs,
BC
Gary Elliot
(604)347-9611
5000
to
50000
Less than
5000
5000
to
50000
Less than
5000
5000
to
50000
Pine
Spruce
Aspen
S-P-F
S-P-F
Pine shingles
Dimension lumber
Dimension lumber
Boards
Posts, timbers
Preserved wood products
Dimension lumber
Boards
!
52
,
,
f'v:",~
r'
"1
~'
J"i'
1::""""""1
...-...'"
1(.••
. ....
". "
,,-
: ......
~~
......
,0,1
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 2-- FOOTHILLS (continued)
Company
Mtll
Location(s)
Contract
Administrator
Volume
(m 3/yr)
Spectes
Used
Spray Lakes Sawmills Ltd.
P.. O. Box 100
Cochrane, AB TOL OWO
Cochrane, AB
Gordon Lane
932-2234
5000
to
50000
S-P-F
Strachan Forest Products
RR#2
Rocky Mountain House, AB
TOM ITO
Sunpine Forest Products Ltd.
Bag #1
Sundre, AB TOM I XO
Strachan, AB
Bruce Graham
845-6760
Less than
5000
S-P-F
Sundre, AB
Greg Neale
638-3772
\-800-661-7463
TKM Wood Products Ltd.
401 Bergen Road
Sundre, AB TOM 1XO
Tolko Industries Ltd.
(All Divisions)
Louis Creek, BC
Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd.
Kamloops Branch
Box 40
Kamloops, BC V2C SK3
Sundre, AB
Tom Clark
638-2005
Less than
5000
S-P-F
Louis Creek, BC
Heffley Creek, BC
Lavington, BC
Kamloops, BC
Doug Howard
(604)672-9911
5000
to
50000
More than
50000
White spruce
S-P-F
Products Manufactured
[Purchased]
Dimension lumber
Boards
Timbers
Posts
Dimension lumber
Timbers
I
I
i
Chris Nelson
(604)828-7700
53
5000
to
50000
S-P-F
S-P-F
Dimension lumber, boards,
Timbers
Pressure treated products
[Timbers, posts, 4x4, 6x6]
Specialty items
Remanufacturing
[Rough lumber)
Plywood
Dimension lumber
Boards
Dimension lumber
Japan J-grade
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 3 -- YELLOWHEAD
Company
A- 1 Shakes & Shingles Ltd.
P.O. Box 45, Site 2, RRI
Winterburn, AB TOE 2NO
Alberta NewlIprint Co. Ltd.
P.O. Bag 9000
Whitecourt, AB T7S 1P9
Blue Ridge Lumber (1981) Ltd.
Box 1079
Whitecourt, AB TOE 2LO
Canadian Forest Products Ltd.
Log Supply Manager
Northern Operations
P.O. Box 6000
Prince George, BC V2N 2K3
Carrier Lumber Ltd.
11203 - 1717 Third Ave.
Prince George, BC V2L 3G7
Castle Roofing & Manufact.
Ltd.
Box 122
New Sarepta, AB TOB 3MO
Dunkley Lumber Ltd.
P.O. Box 173
Prince George, BC V2L 4S 1
Grove Lumber & Manufacturing
Box 4148
Spruce Grove, AB T7X 3B3
Jasper Millworks Ltd.
13040 • 148 Street
Edmonton, AB T5L 2H8
Lakeland Mills Ltd.
Box 1358
Prince George. BC V2L 4V4
Mill
Location(s)
Peerll, AB
Whitecourt, AB
Blue Ridge, AB
Volume
(m3/yr)
Contract
Administrator
Albert Klyne
470-5771
5 ()()()
Dave Hughes
778-7017
5 ()()()
Rick Smith
648-6344
5 ()()()
Species
Used
Pine
I
I
S-P-F
Standard newsprint
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Studs
Medium density fibreboard
Dimension lumber
Boards
Timbers
Studs
to
50 ()()()
j
Prince George, BC
Bear Lake, BC
Ft. st. John, BC
Chetwynd, BC
Ft. Sf. James, BC
Prince George, BC
Lloyd Webber
(604)561-3683
Terry Kuzma
(604)563-9271
More than
50 ()()()
New Sarepta, AB
Russ Custance
941-3943
5 ()()()
to
50 ()()()
Pine
Hixon, BC
Rick Klimek (agent)
(403)723-5865
(403)557-0255
Brian Strei
962-6266
5 ()()()
S-P-F
to
50 ()()()
N/A
S-P-F
Winterburn, AB ,
Edmonton, AB
Joe Loh
453-2402
N/A
Prince George, BC
Tim Nevison
(604)564-6810
5 ()()()
to
50 ()()()
-------
54
Pme shingles
to
50 ()()()
to
50 ()()()
More than
50 ()()()
Spruce Grove, AB
Products Manufactured
[Purcbased]
I
.....
-~~
S-P-F
S-P-F
Pine
Spruce
Aspen
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Boards
Pine shingles
Dimension lumber
Boards
Studs
[Rough lumber & timbers]
[ Clear rough lumber]
Studs
Boards
I!
~
",-,'<1
fe"
(''''''
,
..\
, ...~"l....'\.\
l.'~"
"
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 3 -- YELLOWHEAD (continued)
Company
Low Cost Lumber Sales Inc.
Box 3951
Spruce Grove, AB TIX 3Bl
Maje.'Itic Forest Products
5004 - 52 Street
Whitecourt, AB T7S 1N2
Mark Deagle Log Building
Box 727
Jasper, AB TOE lEO
Millar We.'Itern Industries Ltd.
5004 - 52 Street
Whitecourt, AB
TIS lAI
Moen Lumber
13020 - 165 St.
Edmonton, AB T5V 1M3
MostoWich Lumber. Ltd.
Box 90
Fox Creek. AB TOH t PO
Northwood Pulp & Timber Ud.
P.O. Box 9000
Prince George, BC V2L 4W2
O.K. Lumber Ud.
Box 111
Fort Assiniboine, AB TOG lAO
Rustad Brothers &. Co. Ud.
8555 Pacific Street
Prince George, BC
Siocan Forest Products Ltd.
Vavenby Division
Box 39
Vavenby, BC VOE 3AO
Mill
Location(s)
Contract
Administrator
Volume
(m3/yr)
Spruce Grove, AB
Ernie Williams
962-8488
N/A
Whitecourt, AB
Dennis Robertson
484-7113
Hinton. AB
Mark Deagle
865-1513
852-5947 (home)
Max Matthews
778-2221
778-3554 (home)
1-551-3958 (mobile)
Don or Jeff Moen
447-1014
5000
to
50000
Less than
5000
Whitecourt, AB
Edmonton, AB
Fox Creek, AB
Arnie Mostowich
622-4296
Species
Used
Birch
S-P-F
Pine
White spruce
Pine
5000
to
50000
S-P-F
N/A
Aspen
Products Manufactured
[Purchased]
[Rough lumber]
Firewood
Shakes
Custom built log buildings
Dimension lumber
Boards
CTMP pulp
[Rough cants]
[Rough lumber & cants]
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Boards
Less than
5000
S-P-F
Less than
5000
S-P-F
Plywood
Dimension lumber
Studs
Dimension lumber
5000
to
50000
More than
50000
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Boards
Export lumber
Less than
5000
-
Prince George, BC
Fort Assiniboine,
AB
Bob Weinard
(604)962-3455
(604)563-0968 (home)
Brownie Zilinski
584-2232
Prince George, BC
Dan Alexander
(604) 561-2211
Vavenby, BC
Laverne Burnelle
(604) 676-9518
55
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 3 -- YELLOWHEAD (continued)
Min
Location(s)
Company
Siocan Forest Products Ltd.
Valemount Division
P.O. Box 189
Valemount, BC VOE 2Z0
Spar - Log Buildings
RR2
Barrhead, AB TIN 1N3
Stella - Jones
(fonnerly Domtar Inc.)
P.O. Box 1017
Camrose, AB T4V 4E7
Sunchild Forest Products Ltd.
1131 1 Wintemum Rd NW
Edmonton, AB T5S 2B3
Sundance Forest Industries Ltd.
Box 6810
Edson, AB TIE 1V2
Tall Pine Timber Ltd.
Box 70
Lodgepole, AB TOE 1KO
The Pas Lumber Co. Ltd.
P.O. Box 879
Prince George. BC V2L 4T8
Tuneu Forest Products
Box 305
Fort Assibiboine. AB TOG 1AO
Tolko Industnes Ltd.
(All Divisions)
Louis Creek, BC
Tomen Alberta Timber Industries
Box 1240
Barrhead. AB TOG OEO
Contract
Administrator
Volume
(m3/yr)
Species
Used
Products Manuractured
[Purchased]
Valemount, BC
Luke Hedberg
(604) 566-4421
(604) 566-4254 home
5000
to
50000
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Boards
Timbers
W of Barrhead, AB
Wayne Sparshu
674-4813
Less than
5000
Custom built log buildings
Dimension lumber
Prince George, BC
Michael Hunting
(403)679-0390
5000
to
50000
White
spruce
Pine
Pine
Winterbum, AB
Gloria Narowski
447-3275
N/A
Aspen
[Rough lumber & cants J
Edson, AB
John Huey
723-3977
S-P-F
Pine
Dimension lumber
Lodgepole, AB
Bob Baker
894-2301
S-P-F
,Dimension lumber
Prince George,
BC
Ivan Hansen
(604) 562-3361
5000
to
50000
'5000
to
50000
More than
50000
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Fort Assiniboine,
AB
Ralph Labonte
584-2121
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Timbers
Louis Creek, BC
Heffley Creek, BC
Lavington, BC
Fort Assiniboine,
AB
Barrbead, AB
Doug Howard
(604) 672-9911
5000
to
50000
5000
to
50000
N/A
White
spruce
S-P-F
S-P-F
Plywood
Dimension lumber
Boards
Metric lumber
[Rough lumber & timbers)
I
!
-.--~
---
Ted or Talc
' 674-3700
---
56
I
[Poles)
[Ties]
t
>-'it
t····~
f·····
.~
~':"':"~
r~'"
.
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 3 -- YELLOWHEAD (continued)
Company
Weldwood Canada Ltd.
760 Switzer Drive
Hinton, AB T7V t V7
Weyerhaeser Canada Ltd.
Box 7739
Drayton Valley, AB
TOEOMO
Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd.
2509 Aspen Drive
Edson, AB T7E 1S8
Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd.
Bag Service 3000
Grande Cache, AB TOE OVO
Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd.
K~mlooplI Branch
. Box 40
Kamloops, BC V2C 5K3
Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd.
Vavenby Branch
Box 130
Vavenby, BC VOE 3AO
Yellowhead Wood Product'!
Ltd.
4209 - 6th Avenue
Edson, AB T7E I A5
Zeidler Forest Industries Ltd.
P.O. Box 129
McBride, BC VOl 2EO
Mill
Location(s)
Contract
Administrator
Volume
(m3/yr)
Species
Used
Hinton, AB
Brian Allan
865-8548
Drayton Valley, AB
Nick Smudd or
Dave Swindlehur.;t
542-8050 .
More than
50000
S-P-F
Aspen
Studs
Dimension lumber
Bleached kraft pulp
Dimension lumber
Oriented strand board
Edson, AB
John O'Brien
723-5677
More than
50000
Aspen
Oriented strand board
Grande Cache, AB
Doug Chapel
827-7222
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
KamloopII, BC
Chrill Nelson
(604) 828-7700
5000
to
50000
More than
50000
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Japan J-grade
Vavenby, BC
Mel Johnstone
(604) 676-9521
(604) 372-2217
More than
50000
White spruce
Pine
Dimension lumber
Japan J-grade
Edson, AB
Craig Corser
723-3330
N/A
S-P-F
[Rough lumber]
McBride, BC
Ron Hammerstedt
(604) 569-2261
5000
to
50000
S-P-F
Plywood
Studs
57
Less than
5000
S-P-F
Products Manufactured
[Purchased]
0_-
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 4 -- PEACE
Company
Boucher Brothers Lumber Ltd.
P.O. Box 488
Nampa, AB TOH 2RO
Buchanan Lumber
Box 38
High Prairie, AB TOG 1EO
Canadian Forest Products Ltd.
Postal Bag 100
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3A3
Canadian Forest Products Ltd.
Hines Creek, AB
Canadian Forest Products Ltd.
Log Supply Manager
Northern Operations
P.O. Box 6000
Prince George, BC V2N 2K3
Daishowa - Marubeni lnt'l. Ltd.
P.O. Box 4400
Peace River, AB T8S 1V7
Louisiana Pacific Canada Ltd.
Box 2338
Dawson Creek, AB VIG 4P2
Manning Diversified Forest
Products Ltd.
Bag 1600
Manning, AB
MostoWlch Lumber Ltd.
Box 90
Fox Creek, AB TOH 1PO
Peace Coumtry Log Builders
Box 992
Beaverlodg~,_AB TOH OCO ...........
Mill
Location(s)
Contract
Administrator
Nampa. AB
Sian Lokseth
322-3945
High Prairie, AB
Brian Telford
523-4544
Grande Prairie. AB
Dave McLeod
538-7711
Hines Creek. AB
Garnet Webber
494-3633
Prince George. BC
Bear Lake. BC
Ft. St. John. BC
Chetwynd, BC
Ft. St. James. BC
Peace River. AB
Lloyd Webber
(604)561-3683
Dawson Creek, BC
Dave We.'lt
AI Dumouchel
624-7415
Norm Hanson
(604)782-1616
Species
Used
Products
Manufactured
[Purchased]
5000
to
50000
5000
to
50000
5000
to
50000
5000
to
50000
More than
50000
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
S-P-F
Studs
Timbers
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
S-P-F
Studs
S-P-F
DimensIOn lumber
Boards
Timbers
Studs
More than
50000
Aspen
Bleached kraft pulp
More than
50000
Aspen
Oriented Strand Board
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Dimension lumber
Boards
Manning
(Under construction)
Fox Creek, AB
Arnie Mostowich
622-4296
Less than
5000
S-P-F
Beaverlodge, AB
Larry Sanregret
356-2614
Less than
5000
White Spruce
Pine
58
f,
Volume
(m3/yr)
Custom built log buildings
f
~
r·····""r:····-:-:-:·)
,y .....,...
~~
.'.
,."........'1
,.
\
,.""""'"
,.~
............":
r- .....
~ ~'~
....,
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 4 -- PEACE (continued)
Company
West Fraser Mills Ltd.
Chetwynd Forest Industries Div.
P.O. Box 426
Chetwynd, BC VOC JJO
Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd.
P.O. Bag 1020
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3A9
Zavisha Sawmills Ltd.
P.O. Box 60
Hines Creek, AB TOH 2AO
Mill
Location(s)
Contract
Administrator
Volume
(m3/yr)
Products Manufactured
[Purchased]
Species
Used
Chetwynd, BC
Les Warncke
(604)788-2686
(604)788-9169 (home)
5 ()()(}
to
50 ()()()
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Grande Prairie, AB
Brian McArthur
539-8244
More than
50 ()()(}
S-P-F
Hine... Creek, AB
Glen Zavisha
494-3761
Less than
5 ()()(}
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Boards
Bleached kraft pulp
Dimension lumber
Boards
Timbers
.
59
I
PRIVATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 5 -- SLAVE LAKE
Company
Bissell Brothers Lumber Ltd.
P.O. Box 60
Enilda. AB TOG OWO
Buchanan Lumber
Box 38
High Prairie. AB TOG lEO
Shadow Creek Enterprises
Box 790
High Prairie. AB TOG 1EO
Slave Lake Pulp Corporation
P.O. Box 1790
Slave Lake, AB TOG 2AO
Vanderwell Contractors Ltd.
Box 415
Slave Lake. AB TOG 2AO
Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd.
Box 630
Slave Lake. AB TOG 2AO
Zeidler Forest Industries Ltd.
Box 517
Slave Lake. AB TOG 2AO
Mdl
Location(s)
Enilda. AB
High Prairie. AB
High Prairie. AB
Contract
Administrator
Volume
(m3/yr)
Species
Used
Craig. Don. or Chuck
Bissell
523-2131
Brian Telford
523-4544
5000
to
50000
5000
to
50000
Less than
5000
S-P-F
Stan Deynaka
523-2645
--,
S-P-F
S-P-F
Products Manufactured
[Purchased]
Dimension lumber
Boards
Timbers
Studs
Timbers
Dimension lumber
i
Slave Lake. AB
Slave Lake. AB
Slave Lake. AB
Slave Lake, AB
Bert Larocque
849-7704
1-551-2536 (mobile)
Da.rrel McKay
849-3824
849-4667
Robert Mills
849-4333
Garry Labby
849-4145
60
More than
50000
Aspen
Chemi-mechanical pulp
More than
50000
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Boards
5000
to
50000
5000
to
50000
Aspen
Oriented strand board
White spruce
Plywood
Studs
,
..
~
r.::"'' ' '
rw,'""~
i:'
r·····., •
"'i".""~,,"b'"
••.• "'rr"' .. ~
, _ .... ~
...
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 6-- NORTHWEST
Mill
Location(s)
Company
High Level Forest Products Ltd.
P.O. Box 749
High Level, AB TOH 1ZO
La Crete Sawmill
Box 1090
La Crete, AB TOH 2HO
Contract
Administrator
Volume
(m3/yr)
Species
Used
Products Manufactured
[Purchased]
High Level, AB
Tom Varty
926-3781
Less than
5000
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Boards
La Crete, AB
John Unger
928-2288
5000
to
50000
S-P-F
Export sizes
-----
PRIV ATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION' 7-- NORTHEAST
No PRIVATE TIMBER PURCHASERS WERE FOUND IN THE NORTHEAST REGION.
61
PRIVATE TIMBER PURCHASERS
REGION 8-- EAST-CENTRAL
Company
Mill
Location(s)
Alberta-Pacific Forest Ind. Ltd.
Box 8000
Boyle, AB TOA OMO
Grassland, AB
Double R Forest Products Ltd.
Box 356
Athaba.c;ca, AB TOG OBO
Frank Crawford Sawmills
Box 1198
Athabasca, AB TOG OBO
Jasper Millworks Ltd.
13040 - 148 Street
Edmonton, AB T5L 2H8
Spar - Log Buildings
RR2
Barrhead, AB T7N 1N3
Tomen Alberta Timber
Industries
Box 1240
Barrhead, AB TOG OEO
Vanderwell Contractors Ltd.
Box 415
Slave Lake, AB TOG 2AO
Calling Lake, AB
Contract
Administrator
Purchase wood
contract
administrator
525-8000
Tom Casey
675-3866
Products Manufactured
[Purchased]
Volume
(m3/yr)
Species
Used
More than
50000
Aspen
Kraft pulp
5000
to
50000
Less than
5000
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
White spruce
Dimension lumber
Pine
Spruce
Aspen
White spruce
Pine
[ Clear rough lumber]
Athabasca, AB
Frank Crawford
675-4330
Winterbum, AB
Edmonton. AB
Joe Loh
453-2402
N/A
W of Barrhead. AB
Wayne Sparshu
674-4813
Less than
5000
Fort Assiniboine.
AB
Barrhead, AB
Ted or Tak
674-3700
N/A
S-P-F
Metric lumber
[Rough lumber & timbers]
Slave Lake, AB
Darrel McKay
849-3824
849-4667
More than
50000
S-P-F
Dimension lumber
Boards
------
62
----
Custom built log buildings
Dimension lumber
Appendix 2
Decision Tree
~.
~.-
f
"
ifl?"
iii
-'
.
....
L
T
:"'"
F
:.,:
l
f'..
..;' .
~
ai.;;
...
'
63
DECISION TREE
j
I
PULP (6"+)
All species
m3)
-------_$
-------_$
-------_$
-------_$
LUMBER (6"+)
11-
111--]
Avg 8"+; <50% black spruce
(
m3)
$
11I
I
$
1-
$
11-
$
$
$
LUMBER(cOnti~~~d)---
.--]
--------------_$--_1------------_$--_1-------_----$--_1------------_$--_1---------_--$--_1----------_--$--_1-------_ _--$--_1--------------$--_1___________ $--_1- - - - -_ _ _ $_ _1-
PURCHASERSIPRICE
$
n
PURCHASERslPRICE
(
PURCHASERSIPRICE
________ $
r~~
SPRUCE "'-
----------_$--_1__________~. $--_1----------_--$--_1--------_--$--_1__________ $--_1------------$--_1--------_--$--_1_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ $_ _1-
64
[_.....
BUILDING LOGS (20"+)
White spruce; Straight; low taper;
straight grain; no catfaces
(
m3)
PURCHASERSIPRICE
----------------$--_1----------------$--_1__________ $--_1-
________________ $---1_
----------------$--_°1----------------$--_1----------------$--_1-
r-
--P£iLER LOGS (20"+)
Sound; large; no catfaces
(
m3)
PURCHASERslPRICE
----------------$--_1----------------$--_1----------------$--_1----------------$--_1----------------$--_1-
"'lI
r""
r""':'~
,c
rr-:'''~ '~."\
"
\'
i'
DECISION TREE
1
-
J
ASPEN oPULp)
m3)
max. 15% balsam poplar
m3)
PURCHASERSIPRICE
-------_$
------_$
''-
------_$
'-
ASPEN (LUMBER)
(
--
m3)
.. ----.---------.-.--.--.------_ .. __ .. _-------------
PoPLAiFiREwoon--------]
m3)
BIRCH OTHER
I
m3)
PURCHASERSIPRICE
.. ..-..
m3)
______________ $---1_
--------------$---,-
----------- $_-'-
--------------$---,--------------$_-',-
-------------$_-,_____________ $---1_
-----------$---'______________ $---1_
I
--------------$---,----------_$---,_____________ $---1_
-------_$_-,-
______________ $---1_
_____________ $---1_
_____________ $---1_
-----------$---,-
-----------$---,____________ $---1_
PURCHASERSIPRICE
''''-
BIRCH FIREWOOD
(
- - - - - - - - - $---'-,
(
PURCHASERslPRICE
------_$
------_$
------_$
------_$
POPLAR
------------~
-------------_$---,------------_$---,-----------_$---,-----------_$---,-----------_$---,---------_$---,-----------_$---,-------------_$---,_____________ $---1_
''-
ASPEN (OSB)
Short length;
(
.. -.-- .. -..
~
PURCHASERslPRICE
PURCHASERSIPRICE
-------_$
-------_$
... _--
(
Tree length;
(
_
BIRCH
&
--------------$---,--------------$---,65
______________ $---1_
DECISION TREE
J
I
POLES (24"+)
High quality~ straight; low taper
rn 3)
(
-------_$
'-
-------_$
I.
,
--------$
'-
---------_$
-------_$
''-
-
--------------
POSTS, RAILS & PULP (4"- 8")
(
rn3)
PURCHASERSIPRICE
____________ $---1_
---------_$
---------_$
''-
--------_$
'-
---------_$
~
Hnu_u~LuMBEi(6"+)
....
~
rn 3)
(
PURCHASERSIPRICE
PURCHASERSIPRICE
-------_$
PINE
'-
-------------_$_--,-----------_$---,-
--------------$---,-------------$---,-----------$_-,-------------$---,-------------$---,--------_$_-,-------------$---,--------_$_-,----------_$_-,-------------$---,------------_$---,-----------_$---,-------------$---,--------------$---,--------------$---,----------- $_-'--------------$---,--------------$---,66
r~
BUILDING LoGS (20"+)
Straight~
low taper, soundi good grain
(
rnJ)
PURCHASERslPRICE
--------------_$---,-------------_$---,--------------_$---,--------------_$---,--------------_$---,_______________ $---1_
--------------_$---,-
--~--------,
SHAKES & SHINGLES (8"+)
Tight knots; sound
(
rn3)
PURCHASERSlPRIcE
_______________ $---1_
_______________ $---1_
_______________ $---1_
--------------_$---,--------------_$---,______________ $---1_
t .
~
I:··· ....·
r··;;;
r"
DECISION TREE
)
Species
~. . . . ~
LIPRODUCT:
(
[PRODUCT:
m3)
(
PURCHASERSIPRICE
-------_$
-------_$
,
'-
------_$
'-
------_$
------_$
IPRODUCT:
''-
m3)
PURCHASERslPRICE
-------_$
-------_$
-------_$
-------_$
-------_$
-------_$
''''''-
--------_$
'-
------------~---,~
----------_$
[PRODUCT:
m3)
(
PURCHASERSIPRICE
(
\
1-
_____________ $---1_
-------------$---,______________ $---1_
-----------_$---,--------_$
-------_$
''-
------------$---,------------$---,- - - - - - -_ _--$--_1-----------$---,-------------$---,-------------$---,-------------$---,------------$---,---------_$---,--------$
,
---------------$---,---------- $
67
,
m3)
PURCHASERslPRICE
------------$---,-------------$---,------------$---,______________ $---1_
____________ $---1_
____________ $---1_
______________ $---1_
[PRODUCT:
(
m3)
PURCHASERSIPRICE
-------------$---,_____________ $---1_
______________ $---1_
______________ $---1_
--------------$---,___________ $---1_
______________ $---1_
Appendix 3
Some Useful Forestry Conversions
68
Some Useful Forestry Convenions
Quantity
Length
Area
Volume
To
Convert From
Multiply By
foot
metre
0.3048
metre
foot
3.2808
acre
square metre
4047
acre
hectare
0.4047
hectare
acre
2.47
cubic metre
fum
233
cubic metre
Mfbm
0.233
Mfbm
cubic metre
4.292
cubic metre
cord
0.416
cord
cubic metre
2.407
cubic metre
(green coniferous)
metric tonne
.82 to .87'
cubic metre
(green deciduous)
metric tonne
.90 to 1.1'
Note: Volume to weight conversions depend on species and condition of timber and do
vary from area to area, therefore, have provided ranges of common conversions.
69