Canadian Forest Service Publications
Dynamics of dead tree degradation and shelf-life following natural disturbances: can salvaged trees from boreal forests “fuel” the forestry and bioenergy sectors? 2015. Barrette, J.; Thiffault, E.; Saint-Pierre, F.; Wetzel, S.; Duchesne, I.; Krigstin, S. Forestry 88:275-290.
Year: 2015
Issued by: Canadian Wood Fibre Centre
Catalog ID: 36036
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1093/forestry/cpv007
† This site may require a fee
Abstract
Trees killed by natural disturbances have been recognized by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a promising resource for bioenergy at the global scale. In the eastern boreal forest of Canada, there are two major types of natural disturbances that can generate large amounts of biomass for the production of bioenergy: wildfire and spruce budworm outbreak. For example, the mean burned area between 1970 and 2010 was estimated at 2900 km2 per year. Following such disturbances, typically only trees and stands with a merchantable value, i.e., of acceptable quality for traditional forest products (lumber and pulp) are salvaged. However, adding bioenergy to the potential basket of products may both divert trees of marginal quality and profitability away from traditional products and to bioenergy facilities and lengthen the window of opportunity during which salvage operations can occur. This review shows how the dynamics of wood characteristics of trees affected by natural disturbances can be used to predict through time the basket of wood products that can be taken out of a salvaged stand and ensure the best fit between sources of fibre and types of processing facilities. The most important factors influencing fibre quality include degradation caused by fungi and insects. The most suitable time to salvage trees for the production of lumber in stands killed by either spruce budworm or fire is generally limited to 1–2 years after death. For the production of pulp and paper, trees can usually be salvaged for as long as the wood moisture content remains above the fibre saturation point, but usually is not recommended after 3 or 4 years following death. Thus, past this period, salvaged trees may yield better opportunities for the bioenergy sector. Information on wood as bioenergy feedstock (wood chips, wood pellets and liquid biofuel) highlights the importance of wood chemical components in the chemical reactivity of biofuel. This study offers background knowledge and a framework of analysis that highlights the potential of dead wood from natural disturbances for the production of forest and bioenergy products, which can be further adapted to other regions of the world, building on the Canadian experience of adapting practices to natural disturbances.
Plain Language Summary
The objective of this study was to conduct a literature review to determine the extent of knowledge on wood characteristics of trees affected by two types of natural disturbances (fire and spruce budworm outbreaks) that can generate significant amounts of biomass. The findings may be used to predict potential uses for biomass according to post disturbance salvage time frames.
If trees are salvaged quickly after a disturbance, it is possible to preserve their physical and mechanical properties. However, these properties can only be preserved for a limited time: 1 to 2 years in the case of saw timber, and 3 to 4 years for pulpwood. Beyond those time frames, wood properties change and make the wood unsuitable for the manufacturing of these products. However, this wood continues to be an appropriate source of biomass for energy production for several years.
