Processing methods for production of solid wood products from plantation-grown Eucalyptus species of importance to Australia.
Having the best processing methods increases the quality and yield of solid wood products, helping to maximise returns for wood processors. This report reviewed methods of producing solid wood products (sawn wood and veneer) from Australian plantation-grown eucalypts. The report is divided into three sections: 1) sawing; 2) drying sawn wood; and 3) production of peeled and sliced veneer, and covers all of the major eucalypt plantation species of interest to Australia from both pruned and unpruned stands.
Some processing systems suitable for both back-sawing and quarter-sawing are discussed, these include: twin-saw systems with reciprocating wood flow, overhead end dogging and multi-rip resaws; single operator sawmills equipped with chipper reducer, a twin-saw system with parallel chains and feed rollers and a board edger; and close coupled linear sawmills.
Good results were obtained for logs smaller than 40 cm SED (small end diameter) that are likely to be produced in plantations. Peeled and sliced veneer production is a good option for both E. globulus and E. nitens and peeled veneer a good option for E. dunnii and Corymbia. However, in the case of E. nitens wood stiffness is lower than obtained from native forest eucalypts limiting its application as a peeled veneer for downstream products
Reference Number:
PNB291-1112A
