ABC pic of Kim Booth
I am pleased to see that my Nitens timber suggestions (here) have generated responses ranging from constructive feedback, congratulations and criticisms, plus some comments that only the writers could possibly understand the meaning of.
As one of TT’s commentators wryly observed, I am just suggesting a way to get some jobs and value out of what has been a disgraceful assault on public health and resources. I reckon some jobs from sawn timber and other products and some biochar to put back into the catchments would be a good thing.
Those who have commented on the article or are interested in the issue may find the below helpful.
Where did this idea come from?
This proposal is not new. It was actually part of a regional development opportunity originally suggested by myself on behalf of the Tasmanian Greens, as a way for the Scottsdale community to deal with the removal of their softwood log supply in 1998 and the loss of around 300 sawmilling jobs as a result.
We proposed a diversified wood processing and training mill (click here to read more) that catered for a mixed product stream of native forest and plantation timber.
It provided for a value chain from the log to a range of products which ended with unusable waste converted into energy and bio char, with the rest used for cross link lumber, laminated beams, pallets, solid construction timber as well as floorings, linings and furniture. Ultimately, the site would be FSC accredited to process FSC sourced timber flows so that the consumer could have full confidence in both the product and its’ provenance.
Is Nitens suitable for sawmilling?
Yes, despite what FIAT and the odd uninformed sawmiller says, Tasmania has a large publicly owned Nitens and Globulus plantation estate that is perfectly suitable for sawmilling.
The key to sawing small diameter logs and getting a high recovery is the radial sawing technique, not practiced at present in Tasmania. Radial sawing works well on any type of timber.
Could these logs be substitutes for native forest sawlogs?
Yes.
Would this proposal provide an alternative market for pulp plantations?
Yes, to a small degree with demand for the end product determining the volume. But remember there is 12,000,000 tonnes p/a available of plantation timber in Australia!
Does this alternative use make the pulp mill viable?
No, but it does help put a value above nothing on current pulp plantations, therefore making the business case for pulp less attractive.
Does it demonstrate that Nitens is useful for more than pulp?
Yes, as does the history of sawmilling of Victorian Ash for the last 100 years.
Is Nitens a high value furniture timber?
Not generally, however it is good timber for a multitude of uses. The laminated bench top, sidetable and cross link lumber were all made out of some studs and reject plate material from FEA’s now defunct “eco ash”. It could well compete with an IKEA style flat pack range and is eminently suitable for carcass wood in upholstered furniture etc.
Do the Tasmanian Greens support MIS schemes?
No, never have, never will. They have massively distorted the market, wasted billions of dollars and brought misery and financial ruin to community.
Do the Tasmanian Greens support chemical spraying of plantations?
No, never have, never will. The Greens will continue to push for chemical trespass legislation – Labor and Liberal continue to join together to vote down our legislation.
Are there technical problems with Nitens?
Yes, like most timbers Nitens has its uses and idiosyncrasies. Sawmilling of small logs needs to be done radially. Big logs over say 600 mm can still be sawn on conventional mills or even using swing saws, although recovery rates will be lower. Nitens is fairly free in the grain, so has a tendency to split if not fixed appropriately and demonstrates some face checking on back sawn boards. See comments below on cross link lumber.
What sort of recovery can we expect from Nitens?
The secret to the recovery rate is tied to the end product. With the range suggested, particularly cross link lumber, nearly every piece is useable as checking, knots, splitting etc can be buried in the core (see here for more on cross laminated timber based on lumber)
Does your proposal only work with Nitens?
No, see Scottsdale diversified processing and training mill here. It is envisaged that any plantation logged would be either returned to farm land or planted back to mixed native species, (which should have been planted in the first place)
Should plantations have to go thorough planning and water allocation?
Absolutely, forestry should be returned to control by Councils through their planning schemes.
• David Obendorf, in Comments: Thank you Kim Booth for clarifying a few matters of debate and declaring your absolute opposition to MIS plantations and chemical usage on monoculture plantations. By way of a few questions: How many plantation monocultue hardwood trees in Tasmania reach 600 mm [imperial scale: 2 foot] IN DIAMETER? How long would a Shining gum (E. nitens} tree take to grow to 600 mm diametre – 15 years, 30 years, 60 years, 90 years? Thank you for the clarification on these nitens plantation after harvest: “It is envisaged that any plantation logged would be either returned to farm land or planted back to mixed native species, (which should have been planted in the first place)
• Earlier on Tasmanian Times: The over-blown optimism of a plantations architect …
First published: 2012-08-08 05:44 AM
• Thursday, David Obendorf: ‘High-quality sawlogs’ from plantations – would you believe?
Retired forestry, Robin Halton has highlighted a critical table in the 68-page Forestry Tasmania ‘Sustainability Charter Forest Management Plan 2008’
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CFMQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forestrytas.com.au%2Fuploads%2FFile%2Fpdf%2FForest_Management_Plan.pdf&ei=KwkjUP6nK66jiAf0j4G4Cg&usg=AFQjCNHrQCu_bIl3_D1PqMNBnl85i3ZliQ
The document models the transition in the yield of ‘high quality sawlog from eucalypt’ plotted out to 2096 –i.e. 74 years from now.
Forestry Tasmania’s own modelling suggests that by 2023, Tasmania’s plantation estate will sustainably produce 160,000 cubic metres of high quality sawlog every year… out to 2096.
It also predicts ~60-80,000 cubic metres of sawlog will come from predominantly ‘aged native forest regrowth’ but this does not start to be factored in until 2030.That post-2030 high quality sawlog yield comes from various categories of regrowth in State Forests.
On these FT predictions and anticipating a Peace Deal, the yield from mature native forest – i.e. validated HCV State Forests – will drop from 150,000 cub meters per year down to probably 50,000 cubic metres.
Question: Where will the annual wood supply of 265,000 cubic metres of peeler billets come from?
