Understanding value beyond roundwood
In hardwood operations, the products generated from a tree are rarely fixed. They depend on a complex mix of tree characteristics, market conditions, equipment, and the split-second decisions made in the field.
Species, size, stem form, and defects dictate the potential. But just as important are operational factors: how the tree is processed, what markets are available, and how much effort is invested in recovery.
This distinction is critical when considering residual forest biomass.
“What if we could recover more volume without harvesting more trees—simply by maximizing the potential of each one?” ~ Pamela Hurley, NHRI
What gets measured—and what doesn’t
We define Gross Merchantable Volume (GMV) as the portion of the tree utilized for conventional roundwood. Above-Ground Biomass (AGB) is the full tree. The difference between the two is net residual biomass; the material often left behind after harvesting. Full article here
