Fichtenstarkholz – Problemsortiment oder Chance? | Timber from large diameter round wood –Problem or chance?

In Central Europe, stocks of spruce exceeding 50 cm DBH are continuously increasing. On the other hand, demand for large diameter round wood is stagnating even though sawn timber production is growing immensely. Over the last 10 years several research projects have been carried out dealing with sawn timber from large diameter spruce. The most important results are that the wood density increases from pith to bark, while the knot area ratio of sawn timber decreases. Sawn timber from the outer parts of the stem therefore has higher strength and stiffness properties than timber taken from the inner parts of the stem. Machine strength grading makes best use of this potential of higher strength properties. Moreover, sawn timber from the outer parts of the stem has the tendency to distort and to split far less during drying than timber from the inner parts. To make the best use of large dimension round wood and to the advantage of the entire forest-wood-production chain, these results have to be taken into account by all stakeholders of the value chain. Advanced products considering this advantage therefore need to be developed to create a sustainable market for innovative and consumer-orientated products made from large dimension round wood.