cut-down oak stem with the annual rings visible

Project: The values of the oak – effects of pruning on timber quality

High-quality oak that is processed by the wood industry is a scarce resource throughout Europe. With an active forest management, for example including pruning, the quality and thus the value of the timber can increase. The project carries out a test sawing to understand the effect of pruning on the quality of the sawn oak timber.

Project information

Project manager
Jimmy Johansson
Other project members
Victor Grubîi, Jonaz Nilsson
Financier
Erik Stenström's foundation
Timetable
2023–2026
Subject
Forestry and wood technology (Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Faculty of Technology)

More about the project

Timber refined by the wood industry, with consistent ring width, straight grain, minimal texture, and uniform color, is in short supply across Europe. This type of timber provides the highest value to forest owners during harvesting.

To promote high-value timber, active management is required, with pruning being one potential management activity. Active management with pruning also involves continuous forest oversight, allowing the promotion of the right trees that benefit overall growth.

The effects of pruning are studied in this project. The project conducts a test sawing to understand the effect of pruning on the quality of sawn oak timber. The results aim to guide forest owners in deciding whether to prune their oak stands or not.

The project is part of the research in the research groups Forest Products and Forest Economics, and the Linnaeus Knowledge Environment Green Sustainable Development.

Staff