UBC Undergraduate Research

Case study : market opportunities for commercially thinned small diameter Douglas-fir trees Aquino, Carlos

Abstract

Small Diameter logs are a becoming a regular occurrence in the forests of Interior British Columbia. This disturbance is caused by a decrease of forest fires and an increase of trees competing for water and soil. Historical records show that forest fires, use to create more space for young trees to grow by burning vast amounts of forest undergrowth, thereby produce nutrients for the soil in the form of fertilizers and minerals. Moreover, rainstorms required to diminish forest fires, contributed to the soil absorbing moisture for trees. However, due to global warming, changes in land use and settlement patterns, vast hectares of forest land are being exposed to dry weather. This meteorological behaviour is spreading across the Pacific Northwest from Canada to the USA. Regarding the ecological environment, Mule Deer winter ranges, which cover approximately 275,000 hectares in the Cariboo Forest Region are being affected by the small diameter Douglas Fir logs. In the past, large diameter Douglas Fir trees provided cover and forage for mule deers. Therefore this case study will focus on marketing small diameter Douglas Fir logs in established market niches that require a value-added product. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada