SAWMILL RESIDUE IN THE PRINCE GEORGE
AREA OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

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I. INTRODUCTION

In the manufacture of a standing tree into lumber there are
losses of many kinds, ranging from discarded material to that which is
manufactured and utilized inefficiently. Ina logging operation the
loss includes stumps, tops, trees shattered in falling, small logs,
defective logs, and material left after careless logging. This material
is termed logging residue. Ina sawmill the loss takes the form of
slabs, edgings, trim, sawdust, and lumber lost by faulty or careless
manufacture. In the seasoning of green lumber faulty methods may
result in losses from such defects as checking, loosening of knots,
warping, and cupping. Further losses occur in the machining and re-
manufacturing of lumber before it is ready for use. This material is
termed sawmill residue.

The total of these various losses amounts to a considerable
percentage of the volume of the standing tree. The necessity for closer
utilization as a means of husbanding forest resources has become evident
because of the rapid depletion of accessible standing timber. Closer
utilization of forest products offers an immediate means of prolonging
the present supply of timber. It may also result in financial return by
lowering the unit cost of producing the finished product.

The economic salvage of wood residue may be accomplished by
reducing losses through improved manufacturing methods and by finding
new profitable uses for such residuee In commerce, the profitable dis-
posal of by-products is dependent on supply and demand. In some cases,
large quantities of wood may be wasted because the manufacturer is not
aware of a demand for a by-product; also, certain wood-using industries
may purchase logs or lumber when other forms of non-utilized wood residue
could be used to better advantage. In many instances, however, wood
residue is produced so far from a consuming centre that costs of trans-
portation and handling leave no margin of profit under present conditions.
This is particularly true of small and medium sized mills, the residue
from which is not sufficient to warrant the installation of special con-
verting equipment.

Changes in quality, size, and accessibility of the supply of
raw material and increasing cost of products must lead to better manu-
facturing methods, as increased costs cannot be handed on indefinitely
to the consumer. In British Columbia, the long freight hauls from
sawmill to consumer and the competition of lumber grown nearer to markets
necessitate a much closer form of utilization. Operators of large plants
are becoming more and more aware of the need for integration in their

Footnote: Rotanical names from Native Trees of Canada. Bulletin No. 61.
Forestry Branch, Department of Resources and Development.