Germany’s sawmilling sector is calling for urgent action to expand beetle-damaged spruce timber storage capacities across the nation.

The German Sawmill and Timber Industry Association (DeSH) made the call following the publication of new recommendations for the storage and utilization for beetle damaged spruce timber. Research shows that hundreds of thousands of hectares of German spruce forest have been damaged by the spruce bark beetle, costing the industry significant sums.

The Agency for Renewable Resources’ (FNR) collaborative project NUKAFI (Investigations into the Material Utilization Potential and Storage Options for Spruce Damaged Timber) found that properly treated damaged timber remains available as a raw material for extended periods.

Its new guidelines “Handling Spruce Damaged Timber” offers forest owners, forestry companies, and wood-processing businesses expert recommendations for practical application.

NUKAFI found that severely damaged trees, so-called deadwood stands, can remain in the forest for a certain time, depending on the weather. After about two years, however, the processing options for the sawmill and timber industry become severely limited due to declining quality and significant disruptions in production.

The storage options described can help to stagger timber harvesting, marketing, and processing, and ensure the preservation of wood quality over a longer period. At the same time, the guideline clearly identifies the limitations and risks of the methods, for example, with regard to occupational safety, potential quality losses, and increased demands on logistics and control.

DeSH says the technical solutions presented are only one part of a comprehensive concept. Julia Möbus, Managing Director of the DeSH, also emphasizes the urgent need for action regarding the framework conditions.

“Science has shown the way – now it’s up to policymakers,” she said.

“We need to expand storage capacities nationwide. The federal government, states, and municipalities must work together and develop a joint action plan for disaster management.”

DeSH says the central question is how to efficiently utilize the large quantities of damaged timber. The storage of damaged timber is of particular importance, as it has a decisive influence on wood quality, usability, and processing.

Source: ttjonline.com