The conversion of red oak small diameter timber (SDT) into solid wood products was investigated. The objectives of this research were to 1) determine the yield of lumber, pallet and container parts, and residues from SDT and the market potential for these products; 2) determine the economic feasibility of a SDT sawmill and pallet part mill located in Southwest Virginia; 3) develop a business plan for a SDT sawmill and pallet part mill located in Southwest Virginia. The methods for this research consisted of resource, yield and economic analyses, and the development of a business model. The resource analysis indicated an ample supply of red oak SDT available in Southwest Virginia. The yield analysis used red oak SDT logs, which were manufactured into lumber, container parts and wood residues. The yield of 3" wide container parts from cants varied from 63% to 66%. The 1" nominal lumber produced was mainly 2A and 3A, 74%, and 24% was 1 common. The economic analysis utilized break even, net present value and internal rate of return analyses to determine the economic feasibility of utilizing red oak SDT. The results of the study indicated that the sawmill-only processing level scenario is not economically feasible given the specified conditions and assumptions. However, the results showed that the sawmill and pallet part mill, actual yield scenario at $35/ton delivered log cost is economically feasible. The hypothetical business model for Southwest Custom Hardwoods was economically feasible. The final net present value was calculated to be over $750,000 and the final internal rate of return was 11%. Future yield studies should weigh logs so that the yield of residues and solid wood products can be directly compared. Future research into the utilization of hardwood SDT should include yield studies of other species and other product mixes. / Master of Science

<p dir="ltr">Thinning operations play a crucial role in ensuring forest health and sustainability. It strategically removes weaker trees and enhances overall growth by providing more essential resources such as sunlight, nutrients, and water. Small-diameter timber (SDT) is generally a byproduct of thinning operations in natural or plantation forests from either softwood or hardwood species. SDT is characterized by a diameter at breast height (DBH) of less than 9 inches for softwood and 11 inches for hardwood species.</p><p dir="ltr">Plantation forests contribute significantly to uniform material resources, needed for sustainable timber production. However, using SDT is often challenging because of the high cost of management, thinning operation, and its intrinsic characteristics, such as decreased wood properties due to the presence of juvenile wood and defects. Economic difficulties are especially evident for hardwood plantation owners because of the longer growth period of hardwoods.</p><p dir="ltr">This study explores feasible methods to enhance the value of hardwood SDT, encouraging its utilization and aiding plantation owners in offsetting management and thinning operations costs before the harvest of large-diameter timber. There are three parts: exploring potential products based on semi-products, conducting a case study by producing school furniture from six walnut SDTs, and providing recommendations for possible production from SDT.</p><p dir="ltr">Our investigation reveals strategic considerations for future school furniture producers. Establishing sorting and grading criteria, investing in more advanced machinery, producing edge-glued panels from SDT lumber, and having broader ideas for school furniture are pivotal for optimizing the SDT value-added process. The findings suggest that having a plan for the utilization of SDT, considering the recommendations provided, can elevate challenges, optimize strategies, increase the potential value of SDT from plantations, and promote sustainable and profitable use of forest resources.</p>

The percentage of low-grade material composing the annual hardwood lumber production in the U.S. is on the rise. As a result, finding markets for low-grade and low-value lumber has been identified as a top priority by researchers and industry associations. Computer simulation has been used by the manufacturing industry for several decades as a decision support tool. Simulation programs are commonly used and relied on by researchers and the industry alike to conduct research on various aspects of the rough mill from processing to recovery efficiency. This research used the ROMI-RIP and ROMI-CROSS simulation programs to determine specific conditions that led to optimal part yield when processing No. 3A Common, 4/4-thickness, kiln-dried, red oak lumber in rip-first and crosscut-first operations. Results of the simulations indicated that cutting bills with narrow part widths and short part lengths are conducive to obtaining optimal part yield while processing No. 3A Common lumber. Furthermore, it was found that as the percent of No. 3A Common lumber in a grade mix increases, part yields and sawing efficiencies decrease. The results also indicated that higher part yields will be obtained when processing short-length No. 3A Common lumber between 6 and 8 feet in length. / Master of Science