Yield comparison of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and fir/spruce (Abies alba Mill./Picea abies L.) logs in the sawmill processing industry
Journal
Wood, design & technology
Date Issued
2025-12
Author(s)
Abstract
Sawmilling technology in Macedonia is primarily characterised by small- to medium-capacity
sawmills, many of which operate with mixed species and variable equipment configurations. These
sawmills typically process between 1500 and 5000 m³ of roundwood annually and play a crucial role
in the domestic wood industry. The technology employed often includes vertical bandsaws for primary
sawing and simple layouts for material flow. Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and fir/spruce (Abies alba
Mill./Picea abies L.) are among the most commonly processed species, representing a significant
share of the raw material input due to their abundance, accessibility, and economic relevance. Beech is
predominantly used in furniture production, while fir/spruce is more common in construction and
structural applications.
This paper presents a focused comparative analysis of raw material yield efficiency between beech
and fir/spruce logs in a primary processing setting. The study was conducted at the MARKISTO
sawmill in Leskoec, Ohrid, a representative facility within the North Macedonian context, operating
with a capacity of 2,500–3,000 m³ per year. A total of 160 logs from two standardised lengths (4.0 m
and 5.0 m) and I, II, and III quality classes—80 from each species—were analysed. The objective was
to quantify and compare the percentage yield of sawn timber relative to log volume, under real
production conditions, without altering existing workflows. Key influencing factors such as log
diameter, taper, and wood defects were recorded and assessed.
Results indicated that fir/spruce logs generally achieved higher yield rates than beech, particularly
in the higher quality classes. For instance, Class I fir/spruce logs yielded up to 10–15% more usable
lumber compared to Class I beech logs, mainly due to more uniform structure and lower waste values.
In contrast, beech logs, especially from lower quality classes, were more affected by natural defects
like heart checks and curvature, reducing the quantitative yield despite similar or larger diameters. The
study confirms that both species and log quality significantly affect sawmill efficiency and that careful
log selection and classification are essential for optimising material recovery.
sawmills, many of which operate with mixed species and variable equipment configurations. These
sawmills typically process between 1500 and 5000 m³ of roundwood annually and play a crucial role
in the domestic wood industry. The technology employed often includes vertical bandsaws for primary
sawing and simple layouts for material flow. Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and fir/spruce (Abies alba
Mill./Picea abies L.) are among the most commonly processed species, representing a significant
share of the raw material input due to their abundance, accessibility, and economic relevance. Beech is
predominantly used in furniture production, while fir/spruce is more common in construction and
structural applications.
This paper presents a focused comparative analysis of raw material yield efficiency between beech
and fir/spruce logs in a primary processing setting. The study was conducted at the MARKISTO
sawmill in Leskoec, Ohrid, a representative facility within the North Macedonian context, operating
with a capacity of 2,500–3,000 m³ per year. A total of 160 logs from two standardised lengths (4.0 m
and 5.0 m) and I, II, and III quality classes—80 from each species—were analysed. The objective was
to quantify and compare the percentage yield of sawn timber relative to log volume, under real
production conditions, without altering existing workflows. Key influencing factors such as log
diameter, taper, and wood defects were recorded and assessed.
Results indicated that fir/spruce logs generally achieved higher yield rates than beech, particularly
in the higher quality classes. For instance, Class I fir/spruce logs yielded up to 10–15% more usable
lumber compared to Class I beech logs, mainly due to more uniform structure and lower waste values.
In contrast, beech logs, especially from lower quality classes, were more affected by natural defects
like heart checks and curvature, reducing the quantitative yield despite similar or larger diameters. The
study confirms that both species and log quality significantly affect sawmill efficiency and that careful
log selection and classification are essential for optimising material recovery.