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Historically, there has been a steady demand for the use of wood residues in paper and engineered wood products and in the landscaping industry. However, biomass energy markets, another major outlet for wood residues, have been depressed in recent years largely due to low fossil fuel prices and relatively mild winter temperatures across the northern US. As a result, interest in finding alternative markets for low-value, underutilized wood products generated from mill processes and forest management activities is growing. An emerging biochar industry shows some promise as a solution for utilizing these woody biomass materials.
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A new mapping tool released by the Division of Forestry displays Wisconsin's primary forest products industry (firms that manufacture logs and pulpwood into wood and paper products). The goal of this new tool is to facilitate better marketing of forest products by connecting value-added industries with the primary mills and by assisting forest managers and loggers with identifying markets for harvested timber. You can search the tool by county, species processed, products utilized and products sold and then download the data for future reference.
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The increase of trees killed by invasive insects and disease has caused many municipalities to seek alternative uses for urban wood rather than disposing material in a landfill. Recent efforts to market this growing source of material and develop ways to recycle urban trees within communities has led Wisconsin to become one of the leading states in urban wood utilization. Markets have started to grow throughout Wisconsin; at least 30 companies are producing products made from urban wood.
However, a need still exists to help end-consumers and other users understand the benefits and value of using wood and overcome perceived barriers. Wood is a renewable resource as opposed to substitute non-renewable products such as concrete, steel, and plastics.
More information on urban wood is available at Wisconsin Urban Wood or the Urban Wood Network.
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Interested in an in-depth review of softwood lumber grading? A February 21-22 workshop at the Northcentral Technical College Wood Technology Center of Excellence will offer a mix of classroom and hands-on activities.
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