Estimation of Wood Residues from Small Scale Sawmill Operations in Kawetire Forest Plantation in the Southern Highlands, Tanzania

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Abstract

A study on estimation of wood residues from small scale sawmill operations was conducted in Kawetire forest plantation in the Southern Highlands, Tanzania. It involved five (5) low technology (ding-dong) sawmills and one (1) high technology (WM) sawmill operating in the study area during data collection time. Five (5) saw logs were randomly selected from each diameter class (diameter class 1 = ≥ 30 cm, diameter class 2 = ≥ 20 cm, diameter class 3 = < 20 cm) for each sawmill making a total of 90 saw logs. Saw logs were measured for top, mid and bottom diameter and length. Saw logs were marked by assigning numerical numbers before conversion. Sawn timber produced were measured for sizes and length, marked with the same number with that of saw logs. The volume of saw logs and sawn timber, sawn timber recovery rate, percent of sawdust and slabs were computed. It was revealed that sawn timber average recovery rate for low technology (ding-dong) sawmills was 46.1%, average percent of sawdust and slabs were 3.3% and 50.6% respectively. It was revealed that sawn timber average recovery rate for high technology (WM) sawmill was 55.8%, average percent of sawdust and slabs were 2.4% and 41.8% respectively. One sample t-test and paired t-test revealed that no significant difference in conversion efficiency of low technology (ding-dong) sawmills and high technology (WM) sawmill in mean volume of sawn timber produced. However, it was revealed that there was significant difference in individual saw log conversion efficiency. Also, it was revealed that no significant difference in mean volume of sawdust and slabs generated from sawmills.

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