Estimating Moisture Content of Tree-length Roundwood

The green weight of southern pine tree-length roundwood delivered to the pulp mill is generally known. However, for optimum mill efficiency it is desirable to know dry weight. The moisture content of tree-length pine logs is quite variable. The moisture content of pine tree-length logs increases significantly with increasing stem height. Moisture content also varies with tree age and geographic location. It is envisioned that a truckload of tree-length logs would be bored at the scales to extract chips for moisture content determination for converting green truckload weight to oven dry weight. This paper evaluates the predictability of estimating tree-length log moisture content from samples taken a various points along the length of the log. The variability of moisture content related to log diameter, tree age, and geographic location is discussed. Equations for estimating weighted average moisture content of treelength logs from moisture content of samples taken at one, two or three locations along the log are presented for planted loblolly pine. The results of this research indicate that the moisture content of a truckload of tree-length logs can be accurately estimated by sampling three logs in a load at 4.7-meters for converting green truckload weight to bone dry tons.