Wood supply and forest regeneration consequences of integrated log allocation in western Kenya

Abstract

The present system of log sales from softwood plantations in Kenya is by stumpage to single product mills. This harvesting system leads to pulping of large diameter logs while allocation of small diameter logs to sawmills is a major cause of low recovery. This study examined future roundwood supply from softwood plantations in Western Kenya under the existing log sales system and under integrated allocation of sawlogs, plylogs and pulpwood to processing mills with a forest estate model. The present log sales system leads to a roundwood deficit over the planning horizon while wood supply under integrated harvesting meets demand over the same period. Under the present scenario, 56% of the harvested stands are replanted into a pulpwood-working circle as opposed to 11% under the integrated harvesting scenario. The rest of the area is regenerated into sawlog crops. Matching wood processing options and log production strategies to stands scheduled for harvest can therefore improve sustainability of roundwood supply from the existing softwood plantation area.

Keywords: log allocation, stem bucking, log grade, linear programming, dynamic programming

Southern African Forestry Journal No. 206, 2006: 27-33