General Information
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2009 Grant Opportunities »
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State & Private
Forestry
Technology Marketing Unit
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The Technology
Marketing Unit provides technical assistance
for improving utilization and marketing of forest products.
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Hardwood Utilization
Hardwood tree volumes and volume per acre are increasing in the United States. Hardwood growth per acre
exceeds losses due to disease, insects (e.g., gypsy moth), wildfire, and removals (e.g., timber harvest,
urban sprawl). Although hardwoods trees are getting bigger, there is a general decline in hardwood sawlog
quality and value. A higher percentage of hardwoods are less desirable species like soft maple (red and
silver maple). Most hardwood forests are held in nonindustrial private ownership. These forests often lack
necessary forest management. Air pollution, invasive species, lack of biodiversity, and undesirable age and
species class distributions are also impacting the quality of these forests. Forest management practices
needed for improving these forests include thinning and removing undesirable species. However, insufficient
markets and value for low-quality hardwoods, particularly soft maple, hamper management practices.
Structural construction materials are one alternative, and FPL research and the TMU staff are actively
engaged in developing and implementing technologies that will add value to underutilized hardwoods.
Pertinent Publications
Techlines
Forest Products Utilization & Marketing
Sawmilling
- Sawing, Saws, and Saw Design
- Lumber Drying, Storage, and Handling
- Secondary Wood Products Manufacturing
Wood Technology Handbooks & Reference Materials
Forest Products Laboratory Publications
Wood Technology
Engineered Wood Products
Tropical Woods
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