Montana logging utilization, 2002

A study of logging utilization in Montana during 2002 provided logging and product utilization data for sawlog and veneer log harvests in Montana. Results of the study indicate a shift toward greater utilization of smaller diameter material, as 78 percent of the harvested volume in Montana during 2002 came from trees less than 17 inches diameter at breast height. The portion of inventory volume utilized is also increasing, as indicated by decreasing removals factors for growing stock (1.081 cubic feet removed from inventory per cubic foot delivered to the mill) and sawtimber trees (0.961 cubic feet removed per cubic foot delivered to the mill). The study also provided factors for converting volumes to and from Scribner and International 1/4-inch rule log scales, as well as to and from cubic foot volumes.