Primary Wood Processing: Principles and Practice

Forestry and the timber trade are of great economic significance internationally and the importance of appropriate practice in primary wood processing is obvious. This book provides a comprehensive account of the forest products industry. The reasons for processing timber in a particular way are explained and the choice of techniques used is discussed. The authors examine salient features in sawmilling, panel products and pulp and paper, taking into careful consideration both the chemical and physical properties of wood and the enormous variability found in wood quality.
The authors have wide experience of teaching the subject areas covered and have produced a book which will be of great use to students studying forestry, wood science and forest products as well as to personnel in the timber trade responsible for production and quality control.

John Walker is a lecturer at the School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.