Abstract
A study of commercial timber-harvesting sites in Arizona and New Mexico was conducted from 2012 to 2017 to estimate growing-stock removals, characterize current tree utilization and logging operations, and assist with estimating the amount of woody biomass left on-site after harvesting. Fifty-four sample logging sites were selected within major geographic regions proportional to regional five-year timber harvests. A two-stage sampling method was used to compute State-level utilization factors from 1,358 felled trees. Results indicated that in Arizona, for every 1,000 cubic feet (CF) delivered to the mill, harvesting created 24 CF feet of growing-stock logging residue, and 38 CF of non-growing-stock material was delivered to the mill. This compared to 65 CF of growing-stock logging residue created and 20 CF of non-growing-stock utilized per 1,000 CF of mill-delivered volume in New Mexico. Different harvesting prescriptions and mill infrastructure contributed to the utilization differences between the two States. The 2012-2017 New Mexico utilization factors revealed an increase in growing-stock logging residue compared to the1980s, a unique finding among western States. This outcome is likely attributable to declines in the State’s milling infrastructure, particularly facilities with the ability to use smaller diameter material.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | ii-24 |
Journal | USDA Forest Service - Resource Bulletin RMRS-RB |
Volume | 2020 |
Issue number | RMRS-RB-31 |
State | Published - 2020 |
Keywords
- Forest inventory
- Growing-stock removals
- Logging residue
- Removals factors
- Timber harvest