Forest harvesting is an integral part of the West Virginia forest economy. This component of the supply chain supports a diverse array of primary and secondary processors. A key metric used to describe the efficiency of the roundwood extraction process is the logging utilization factor (LUF). The LUF is one way managers can discern the overall use of harvested roundwood. To update LUF in West Virginia, roundwood utilization during harvesting operations was investigated on 30 active sites in 2008. Approximately 3.6 markets were used by the loggers sampled. The average utilization rate at the time of felling and bucking in the woods was 87.8 percent for trees sampled during this study. Over 97 percent of the roundwood that was processed on the landing was utilized. No relationship was found between the number of markets and utilization rates. Results from this study provide estimates on the overall efficiency of harvest operations as well as the characteristics and quantity of material being left after harvest. This information is important to those involved in the management of the hardwood resource as well as those making investments in wood processing industries.

Fixed plot sampling was used to measure residual stand damage on 101 harvested stands in West Virginia. Damage was categorized for roots, base, bole, and crown components of all trees 4 in. dbh and greater. The level of damage was correlated to both preharvest and residual stand densities. Equations were developed to estimate stand damage, based on preharvest and residual stand basal area and trees per acre. These equations were found to reasonably estimate levels of stand damage from previous studies in partial/selection cuts, but not in thinnings. North. J. Appl. For. 16(4):191-196.

The results of a mail survey undertaken in mid-2008 to determine the response of wood packaging material (WPM) manufacturers to a universal treatment requirement, similar to ISPM 15 “Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade,” are described. Reactions to a universal requirement were positive (nearly 60% in favor), with larger companies tending to be more positive. Less than 9 percent of respondents indicated they would cease WPM manufacturing. Impacts on pallet pricing were most prevalent at or in excess of $1.00 per unit, with nearly two-thirds of respondents indicating that their customers would accept the true cost of treatment. While only 36 percent would like to see the universal requirement implemented sooner rather than later, these companies were heavily involved in custom heat-treating services and are therefore anticipating the associated marketplace opportunities. The accompanying capital investment in new or additional heat-treating equipment would benefit equipment manufacturers. As the process to create and implement a universal treatment requirement in the United States evolves, policymakers should take into account the current state of the economy, and the WPM industry in particular, and how a change of this magnitude would impact the businesses comprising this industry sector.

A database comprising measurements of over 700 trees and logs of Appalachian hardwoods was used to compare the performance of five formulas (Newton, Huber, Smalian, Bruce, and that of the centroid method)for estimating the volumes of butt logs. In terms of bias and precision, the centroid method was clearly superior to all other methods. Bruce's formula performed better than Smalian's formula and is recommended for use when only the ends of butt logs are accessible for measuring diameter, as in log stacks. North. J. Appl. For. 13(1): 5-7.

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