Previously reported pulping data on the juvenile, mature and top wood components of second-growth lodgepole pine have been re-examined to illustrate how the forest products industry could benefit from the natural variability inherent in Canada's forests in establishing the "second crop". The data show clearly that some trees gave substantially higher kraft pulp yields than others, and that incremental increases in pulp tonnage of upwards of 10% were possible (i.e. at no cost other than for bleaching). Similarly, specific energy savings in refiner mechanical pulping in excess of 20% were demonstrated. These findings are supported by corresponding data from second-growth Douglas-fir and jack pine. However, such opportunities will avail themselves only following an intensive, ongoing evaluation of the resource, and selection of seed for breeding trees suitable for specific pulping processes and paper products. Planners of our future managed forest must focus on the wood and fiber quality of our resource, a largely uncharted territory.
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