Comparison of Processing Methods for Small-diameter Logs: Sawing versus Rotary Peeling

Abstract

Currently there are limited markets in Australia for small-diameter native forest logs. This has resulted in much of this resource being underutilized and regarded as sub-optimal in quality and of low value. This is despite the fact that the wood properties are favorable for a wide range of high-value products. Traditional processing approaches either have not been able to accommodate small-diameter logs or the resulting product recovery is too low for profitable production. Alternative processing approaches are necessary to enable the efficient recovery of wood from this resource in a form that is usable for high-value product manufacturing. Processing small-diameter spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora) and white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla) logs into rotary veneer using new spindleless veneering technology has been demonstrated to yield more acceptable recoveries compared with more traditional sawing approaches. The veneer processing approach was also found to be less impacted by the diameter than sawing, with more consistent recovery rates across the three small-diameter log groups included in this study. The resulting veneer, especially the spotted gum veneer, had visual qualities and mechanical properties well suited to the manufacturing of veneer-based engineered wood products.