Extracting greater value from subalpine fir: veneer products.

摘要

This paper, which describes an evaluation of the suitability of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) for the manufacture of preservative-treated plywood and laminated veneer lumber (LVL), was part of a study to explore opportunities to extract greater value from subalpine fir [See Forest Products Journal (2008) 58, 31-39]. Due to preferential logging of lodgepole pine, the availability of subalpine fir in British Columbia (Canada) is projected to increase significantly, in some regions to as high as 30% of the softwood harvest. Logs for the veneer products studied came from five subalpine fir trees (one dominant, one codominant, and three intermediate) from a Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (Canfor) logging site in the Fort St. James harvest region of British Columbia. The trees were considered representative of the site type and age class expected to be harvested over the next period of years. Study results indicated that subalpine fir is a satisfactory species for manufacturing construction plywood or lower stiffness grade LVL. This study confirmed that subalpine fir plywood, made from both incised and non-incised veneer, can be preservative treated with alkaline copper quat (ACQ-D) and copper azole to meet CSA 080.15-97 PWF standard (CSA 1997). Currently subalpine fir plywood is not used for permanent wood foundations (PWF) because it cannot be treated with copper chromated arsenate to meet the CSA standard. Other British Columbia softwood species that are usually processed with subalpine fir are classified as unsuitable for preservative treatment. This study indicates that a 100% subalpine fir plywood panel substrate would be suitable for PWFs when treated with amine copper preservatives.