WATER STORAGE AND PLYWOOD PROCESSING OF HURRICANE-DOWNED SOUTHERN PINE TIMBER

This study documented and analyzed the activities that occurred during the water storage and plywood processing of Hurricane Hugo salvage logs at the Georgia-Pacific Corporation's plywood plant in Russellville, S.C. It was observed that in log decks where adequate water was properly applied, the log storage program was effective in preserving sound logs and in minimizing further damage from insects and fungi in logs that were already infested when placed in storage. No major problems were encountered in processing the sound logs that had been properly sprinkled: however, severe production problems were experienced in processing logs that were not properly sprinkled or were heavily infested with fungi and insects prior to water storage. Additionally, the incoming logs to the plywood plant were made up of a varying mixture of cull (severely infested) and sound logs. The extreme variation in log quality and moisture content created processing problems from the water vats to the hot press. Process and adhesive adjustments were made on a continuous basis in order to stay within process control limits. Regardless of the processing problems, the salvage logs consistently yielded plywood that met industry panel glueline and strength specifications.