Log Processing

Firewood production begins with the acquisition of raw material (wood). The trees could either be standing in a private woodlot, on the logging site already processed (fallen and delimbed) or processed logs delivered directly to the firewood producers site. Often the firewood producer will buy low grade logs from local loggers or lumber companies. If the trees are standing they can be fallen and delimbed manually with a portable chainsaw or mechanically with a harvester/processing head.

Some firewood producers offer a premium debarked firewood product. This type of product has the benefits to the end user of less debris, more wood per cord, less places for bugs to hide, faster drying and cleaner burning. In some areas debarked firewood is mandatory if the firewood is to be moved out of the region or country where the firewood was produced. Removal of the bark and a thin outer layer of wood is often effective at preventing the spread of some tree diseases or insect infestations.

Debarking can be achieved either at the time of falling with portable flail debarking/delimbing equipment or by transporting the stems to a stationary debarker, probably located at the firewood producers site or local sawmill. Stationary debarker types used include ring debarkers, cambio debarkers and rosser head debarkers.

- Husqvarna, Quadco Equipment Inc, Peterson Pacific Corp, Brunette Industries Ltd. images.