An assessment of native forests in Queensland for the potential supply of small-diameter, peeler logs for spindleless lathe rotary-veneer processing

Abstract

Spindleless lathes have shown great potential for the efficient conversion of small native forest logs in Australia. However, a major impediment to the further commercial adoption of this processing approach for native forest small-diameter logs is the absence of reliable and available data on the quantities of logs possibly available and suitable for this purpose. This study undertaken in hardwood and white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla) native forests and at sawmills in Queensland, Australia, demonstrated that there are potentially substantial quantities (up to 10.5 m3 per hectare of Crown native hardwood, 14 m3 per hectare of private forest hardwood and 75,000 m3 per year of Crown white cypress pine) logs suitable for spindleless lathe rotary veneer processing. However, access to and utilization of these logs will depend on many factors including accommodating Government policies and log supply agreements; potential alterations in the code of practice for native forest harvesting, silviculture, tree marking and sales practices; diversion of logs from other uses; and development of appropriate log specifications.