The objective of this research was to quantitate the amount of wood loss that occurs during the processing of freshly harvested fir roundwood into sawlogs. The influence of the felling damages and various growth defects, e.g., curvature, taper, and forked growth, were taken into consideration. The causes of wood loss and wood volume reduction during the three primary operations of this processing chain, under the considered limited conditions, were established. The greatest wood volume reduction recorded was an 11% decrease, which was caused by the crosscutting of the stems into shorter logs. Additional wood volume reductions were due to the selection (grading) of the sawable logs and to debarking (7% and 6%, respectively). Some recommendations, in terms of industrial applicability, i.e., methods to reduce the amount of wood loss, were also formulated.

The best-possible valorization of each cut log is a priority. The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential of a solution for increasing the conversion efficiency of tapered logs, by edge-cutting the narrowest sideboards at 45° and joining them by gluing, in order to obtain usable lumber boards. The modality of obtaining the glued elements was described and the values of the density and bending properties (MOE and MOR) of these elements compared to solid wood elements taken from the same logs and the same position within each log was determined. The envisaged outcome was to determine if the bonded products are suited to be used as cores within laminated products for construction.