Biomass from Thinning Overdense Stands

Skeena Sawmills undertook an economic feasibility study to evaluate whether residual waste leftover from thinning immature stands could be used as a biomass source in the form of pellets, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by avoiding the use of coal to generate energy. The harvesting activity of pre-thinning densely forested areas also resulted in increased long-term forest health and productivity, leading to additional carbon sequestration (storage) benefits. Thinning of stands accelerated the development of old-growth forest characteristics by encouraging the growth of larger diameter trees and resulted in improved wildlife habitat.