Jukka Malinen, Harri Kilpeläinen, Erkki Verkasalo. (2018). Validating the predicted saw log and pulpwood proportions and gross value of Scots pine and Norway spruce harvest at stand level by Most Similar Neighbour analyses and a stem quality database. Silva Fennica vol. 52 no. 4 article id 9972. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.9972

Keywords: stem quality; bucking; non-parametric prediction; database; assortment recovery; value recovery

Highlights: Non-parametric prediction together with external stem quality database provides predictions usable for pre-harvest assessment at a stand level; The prediction of Norway spruce assortment recovery and value proved to be more accurate than the predictions for Scots pine; RMSE and bias of unit prices were 3.50 € m^–3 and 0.58 € m^–3 for pine and 2.60 € m^–3 and 0.35 € m^–3 for spruce.

Abstract | Full text in HTML | Full text in PDF | Author Info

Detailed pre-harvest information about the volumes and properties of growing stocks is needed for increased precision in wood procurement planning for just-in-time wood deliveries by cut-to-length (CTL) harvesters. In the study, the non-parametric Most Similar Neighbour (MSN) methodology was evaluated for predicting external quality of Scots pine and Norway spruce, expressed as stem sections fulfilling the saw log dimension and quality requirements of Finnish forest industry, as they affect the recovery of timber assortments and the value of a pre-harvest stand. Effects of external tree quality were evaluated using saw log recovery and saw log reduction caused by stem defects, as well as total timber value (€) and average unit value (€ m^–3) in a stand. Root mean square error (RMSE) of saw log recovery and reduction were 9.12 percentile points (pp) for Scots pine and 6.38 pp for Norway spruce stands. In the unit value considerations, the predictions compared with measurements resulted in the RMSE of 3.50 € m^–3 and the bias of 0.58 € m^–3 in Scots pine stands and 2.60 € m^–3, and 0.35 € m^–3 in Norway spruce stands, respectively. The presented MSN based approach together with the utilization of the external stem quality database included in the ARVO software could provide dimension and external quality predictions usable for pre-harvest assessment of timber stock at a stand level. This prediction methodology is usable especially in analyses where timber assortment recoveries, values and unit prices are compared when different bucking objectives are used.

Malinen, University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland E-mail: jukka.malinen@uef.fi
Kilpeläinen, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Production systems, Yliopistokatu 6, FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland E-mail: harri.kilpelainen@luke.fi
Verkasalo, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Production systems, Yliopistokatu 6, FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland E-mail: erkki.verkasalo@luke.fi

Click this link to register to Silva Fennica.

If you are a registered user, log in to save your selected articles for later access.

Contents alert

Your selected articles
Send to email

Nohrstedt H.-Ö., Börjesson G. (1998) Respiration in a forest soil 27 years after fert.. Silva Fennica vol. 32 no. 4 article id 679 (remove) | Edit comment

Ilvessalo L., (1929) Utilization of tree classification in thinnings Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 34 no. 38 article id 7251 (remove) | Edit comment

Hakkarainen A. E., (1977) Metsäteollisuuden tutkimus- ja kehittämistoimint.. Silva Fennica vol. 11 no. 3 article id 4971 (remove) | Edit comment

Gordon J. G., Gatherum G. E. (1968) Photosynthesis and growth of selected Scots pine.. Silva Fennica vol. 2 no. 3 article id 4771 (remove) | Edit comment

Yli-Vakkuri P., Autio A. et al. (1968) Time lag between final cutting and regeneration Silva Fennica vol. 2 no. 3 article id 4769 (remove) | Edit comment

Lukkala O. J., (1939) Forest management of forests in drained peatland.. Silva Fennica vol. no. 52 article id 4567 (remove) | Edit comment

Aaltonen V. T., (1939) Root systems of trees and forest management Silva Fennica vol. no. 52 article id 4552 (remove) | Edit comment

Saastamoinen O., (1977) Economics of forest uses in Finnish Lapland. Silva Fennica vol. 11 no. 3 article id 4973 (remove) | Edit comment

Ståhl E. G., (1998) Changes in wood and stem properties of Pinus syl.. Silva Fennica vol. 32 no. 2 article id 693 (remove) | Edit comment

Seppälä K., (1968) Preliminary results of post-drainage development.. Silva Fennica vol. 2 no. 3 article id 4770 (remove) | Edit comment

Harstela P., (1978) Definition of the amount of strain caused by for.. Silva Fennica vol. 12 no. 1 article id 4985 (remove) | Edit comment

Follow @SilvaFennica