Potential for expanding small diameter timber market : assessing use of wood posts in highway applications

Abstract

Because of a combination of circumstances, there is an overabundance of small-diameter timber available in the United States. There is low demand for this material because it has low value. One way to increase the value, and therefore the demand, for this material is to develop or expand markets where the material can be used. We looked at markets where little or no machining would be required before use because this would make it more feasible to use small-diameter material. One such market is that of wood posts in highway applications. In this study, we gathered information on the current use of posts, both wood and those made from other materials, used in highway applications. Information was gathered using a survey of Department of Transportation engineers from across the United States. We then analyzed the information to assess the possibility of increasing the use of small-diameter timber in the highway application market. We found many opportunities for ways this market could be expanded, but we also found challenges to increasing this market.

Modeling Impacts of Bioenergy Markets on Nonindustrial Private Forest Management in the Southeastern United States

“…Currently, southeastern U.S. NIPF landowners managing slash pine ( Pinus elliotti ) plantations face several challenges, including catastrophic risk events, increased offshore competition (Paun and Jackson [2000]), and low pulpwood prices. The combined effect of fire suppression, the lack of prescribed burning, and high planting densities has been that extensive areas are overstocked and susceptible to wildfires and pest attacks (Graham et al [1999], Le Van Green and Livingstone [2003], Polagye et al [2007]).…”

Timber Markets and Fuel Treatments in the Western U.S.

“…Fire-related mechanical treatments are not constrained by the logistical difficulties of weather timing or by risk of damage to adjacent properties and do not create smoke, with its attendant air quality consequences. In addition, some have viewed broad-scale fuel treatments as potentially beneficial to timber markets, reinvigorating communities which in places of substantial federal forest holdings have been negatively affected economically by federal harvest reductions (Spelter et al [1996], USDA Forest Service [2000], Paun and Jackson [2000]). However, treatment program administrators and timber market analysts should understand them as multifaceted, affecting fire risk, ecological values and the timber market.…”

Uses for Small-Diameter and Low-Value Forest Thinnings

“…Results from a market survey (Paun and Jackson 2000) suggest that there is a favorable potential for the use of roundwood in highway structures such as guardrails, posts, and poles. Researchers are now studying whether the engineering design properties of small-diameter roundwood are sufficient to use for guardrails and signposts.…”