Progress 11/01/01 to 09/30/07
Outputs
In 2007 we completed work developing alternative taper models for yellow-poplar, red maple and red pine and completed the model fitting process for an integral approach to compatible weight models. This project paved the way for developing accurate volume, diameter and weight estimating functions for hardwoods in the Appalachian region. The project funded a Ph.D. candidate who graduated in May, 2007. This year one document was submitted for publication, one has been accepted for publication and three previously submitted manuscripts have been recently published. At the request of one of the largest consulting firms in West Virginia, we are currently evaluating the use of the newly developed taper function for estimating tree board foot volume.
Impacts
Current volume and weight functions do not permit direct estimation for all current wood product markets in Appalachia. This is especially apparent in the OSB and parallel stranded beam markets. These polynomial taper systems have been found to be the most accurate in existence for this region and provide merchantable cubic volume and weight estimates to any merchantability limit. Currently technology is being developed specifically for Columbia Forest Products and Landmark Forestry (active participators).
Publications
- Jiang, L. and J.R. Brooks. 2008(in press). Taper, volume and weight equations for Red Pine in West Virginia. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry.
- Jiang, L. and J.R. Brooks. 2008 (in press). Comparison of prediction equations for estimating inside bark diameters. (Accepted for publication Northern Journal of Applied Forestry).
- Brooks, John R. 2007. Taper, volume and weight of small black cherry and red maple trees in West Virginia. Northern Jour. Applied For. 24(2):104-109.
- Jiang, L. 2004. Compatible taper and volume equations for yellow-poplar in West Virginia. MS Thesis. West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, p. 75.
- Jiang, L. 2007. An evaluation of modeling techniques for stem taper, volume and weight for yellow-poplar and red pine in West Virginia. Ph.D. Dissertation West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, p. 75.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
In 2006 we continued work developing alternative taper models for yellow-poplar, red maple and red pine and completed the model fitting process for an integral approach to compatible weight models. All disk diameter, green weight and volume data have been determined for these sample trees. The project currently funds a Ph.D. candidate. Two documents were accepted for publication this year and currently two additional documents were submitted (listed below). At the request of one of the largest consulting firms in West Virginia, we are currently evaluating the use of the yellow-poplar taper function for estimating tree board foot volume.
Impacts
Current volume and weight functions do not permit direct estimation for all current wood product markets in Appalachia. This is especially apparent in the OSB and parallel stranded beam markets. These polynomial taper systems have been found to be the most accurate in existence for this region and provide merchantable cubic volume and weight estimates to any merchantability limit. Currently technology is being developed specifically for Columbia Forest Products and Landmark Forestry (active participators).
Publications
- Jiang, L., J.R. Brooks and G. Hobbs. 2007. Improving Yellow-Poplar Compatible Taper and Volume Equations Using Crown Ratio. Northern Jour. Applied For. (Accepted for publication ).
- Brooks, J.R.,L. Jiang and Y. Zhang. 2007. Predicting Green and Dry Weight of Yellow-Poplar: An Integral Approach. Can. Jour. For. Res. (Accepted for publication ).
- Brooks, J.R. and L. Jiang. 2007. Taper, volume and weight equations for red pine in West Virginia. (Submitted to Northern Jour. Applied For.)
- Jiang, L. and J.R. Brooks. 2007. Comparison of prediction equations for estimating inside bark diameters. (Submitted to Northern Jour. Applied For.)
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
In 2005, we continued work developing alternative taper models for yellow-poplar and began the model fitting process for an integral approach to compatible weight models. During the summer of 2005, 20 sample red maple trees were felled, bucked, and sample disks removed for laboratory analysis. All disk diameter, green weight, and volume data have been determined for these sample trees. The project currently funds a Ph.D. candidate. One document was published this year and currently two additional documents were submitted. At the request of one of the largest consulting firms in West Virginia, we are currently evaluating the use of the yellow-poplar taper function for estimating tree board foot volume.
Impacts
Current volume and weight functions do not permit direct estimation for all current wood product markets in Appalachia. This is especially apparent in the OSB and Paralam markets. The yellow-poplar taper equations have been found to be the most accurate in existence for this region and provide merchantable cubic volume estimates to any merchantability limit. Currently technology is being developed specifically for Columbia Forest Products and Landmark Forestry (active participators).
Publications
- Jiang, L., J.R. Brooks and J. Wang. 2005. Compatible Taper and Volume Equations for Yellow-poplar in West Virginia. For. Ecol. & Mgmt.213:399-409.
- Jiang, L., J.R. Brooks and G. Hobbs. 2005. Improving Yellow-Poplar Compatible Taper and Volume Equations Using Crown Ratio. Northern Jour. Applied For. (Submitted).
- Brooks, J.R.,L. Jiang and Y. Zhang. 2005. Predicting Green and Dry Weight of Yellow-Poplar: An Integral Approach. Northern Jour. Applied For. (Submitted).
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The balance of 2004 was used to complete statistical analysis of taper systems for yellow-poplar in West Virginia. The project funded a master degree candidate (Graduated) and current funds a Ph.D. candidate. Two documents have been completed (listed below) and one is currently in final revision. In addition to the document completed, a Windows based computer simulator was developed and is currently being delivered to Columbia Forest Products for their participation in this project. Analysis of the weight data has been initiated as well as taper, volume and weight for Red Pine. During the summer of 2004, an additional 7 red maple trees were felled, sectioned and measured. In the fall of 2004, an additional 20 sawtimber sized trees were located and marked for felling during the 2005 growing season.
Impacts
Current volume and weight functions do not permit direct estimation for all current wood product markets in Appalachia. This is especially apparent in the OSB and Paralam markets. The yellow-poplar taper equations have been found to be the most accurate in existence for this region and provide merchantable cubic volume estimates to any merchantability limit. Currently technology is being transferred to Columbia Forest Products (active participator) and then will be released to other forest industry cooperators. There is currently an investigation underway to test the feasibility of using these taper functions to estimate board foot contents trees, thus eliminating the need for antiquated volume tables.
Publications
- Jiang, L. 2004. Compatible taper and volume equations for yellow-poplar in West Virginia. West Virginia University, Masters Thesis. p. 82.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Graduate student Lichun Jiang has continued his work on this project. During 2003 all remaining tree discs collected during the summer of 2002 were measured, dried, and remeasured for dry weight properties. All data was electronically entered and double checked. During the summer of 2003, arrangements were finalized with Columbia Forest Products located in Richwood, West Virginia, to acquire approximately 25 yellow-poplar trees located near the Gilmer and Lewis County line. Trees were felled, sectioned, and sample discs removed and transferred to Morgantown for complete analysis. In addition to the yellow-poplar samples, 4 red maple and 10 additional red pine stems, located on the West Virginia University Research Forest, were felled and sampled. Complete diameter analysis for yellow-poplar has been completed and several test taper function forms have been fit to this data. Initial analysis indicates that simple polynomial forms are not as accurate throughout the stem
as the segmented polynomial forms. Specifically, the Clark et al. (1991) form seems superior to all other forms tested in both stem diameter and volume prediction. Continued model evaluation will continue in 2004 as well as the acquisition of additional red maple stems from several locations throughout West Virginia.
Impacts
Current volume and weight functions do not permit direct estimation for all current wood product markets within the state. This is especially apparent in the OSB and Paralam markets. The equation form used in the prediction models will provide the flexibility to meet current and future market specifications as well as providing more accurate estimation than is currently possible. It is the expectation that these equations will become the standard used in West Virginia as well as neighboring states. Applications involving board foot volume estimation that minimize volume table bias are also possible.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Graduate student Lichun Jiang started on this project in the spring of 2002, after the initial graduate candidate turned down the assistantship. Project design and field implementation was completed during the spring 2002 semester and plans were to select and section approximately 25 yellow-poplar trees on the West Virginia University Research Forest. During the summer of 2002, 26 yellow-poplar trees were felled and sectioned. In addition, 18 red pines were also felled and sectioned. All sections were labeled and transported to Percival Hall where they were measured and weighed. Sections were then oven dried and reweighed. Currently, all 788 sections have been measured and weighed. During the spring of 2002 arrangements were made with Columbia Forest Products to acquire 25 yellow-poplar trees on their property in Gilmer County, West Virginia. Plans are to locate and tag sample trees during the spring of 2003. During the summer of 2003 these sample trees will be felled
and sectioned. The additional sections will be processed during the fall of 2003. This data will be used to establish taper and volume functions for yellow-poplar as part of Mr. Jiang's master thesis. Ten additional red pine sample trees will be felled and sectioned during the summer of 2003. To remove seasonal variation in stem weight, trees are only felled and sectioned during the months of June, July and August.
Impacts
As the timber industry changes in West Virginia and Appalachia, there is and has been a growing need to provide landowners, consultants and forest industry stakeholders with a more accurate means of estimating product volume and weight of standing timber. Current volume and weight functions do not permit direct estimation for all current wood product markets within the state. This is especially apparent in the OSB and Paralam markets. The equation form used in the prediction models will provide the flexibility to meet current and future market specifications as well as providing more accurate estimation than is currently possible. It is the expectation that these equations will become the standard used in West Virginia as well as neighboring states.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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