Logs from a plantation – defects removed and logs cut to length with a chainsaw.
Logs are crudely debarked by this heavy duty debarking machine.
The first cut removes two opposite round faces – the distance between the two cuts is determined by what finished product is being produced.
Logs after the first cut
The “side” pieces are cut straight, as far as possible (the yield from these pieces is obviously quite low
The major centre portion of the log is cut to finished size by one machine
Wood is then steam-dried in a kiln for 24 to 240 hours, depending on thickness. It must be carefully pin stacked to ensure even air flow
Humidity and temperature are measured constantly
The kilns are usually powered by boilers which burn bark! This produces the same amount of carbon dioxide that would have been produced had the bark decomposed
