FS-FPL-4710

Pulping of Small Diameter Trees

Many of our forests are overstocked with suppressed growth trees, often becoming susceptible to insect and disease attacks. When fire starts in these forests, they have the potential to become stand altering because of the tremendous fuel load. Material should be removed to improve forest health and make the forests less susceptible to insect, disease, and fire. Since most of these suppressed growth trees are small diameter, the cost of removing and transporting them to facilities that can convert them into useful products could be high. Pulping and papermaking is a logical end product for these small diameter trees. This research work unit is evaluating these materials by chemical (kraft) and mechanical (thermomechanical) pulping processes. Scientists are also examining the relationships between basic wood characteristics of these trees and correlating these characteristics with pulpability. Technically there might be no problems pulping many or all of these small diameter trees and utilizing them in paper products, but it might not be economical. Many of the forests are very long distances from the nearest pulp mills. Removal, transportation, and debarking costs could prove cost prohibitive.

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