Hi Jim, back in the 80's when the chip plant in Jonesboro got underway it was said they would burn chips from the waste, limbs, standing dead bug kill, and junk. It was not enough, and of too low a quality chip. They had to up the grade of the chip, I don't know to what extent, but it is not waste they are chipping. I now have to ask some question of the local cutters, for a better understanding.
One aspect I notice is more mechanical harvesting methods, whole trees limbed on the yard not in the woods. I wonder how this effects the white tail deer population? More browse left in the woods when the trees are limbed and topped in place. New growth comes along quickly, though. I also suspect this heavy snow load will have an effect on the deer this winter as well. Deer population is down around my home. Very little sign this season. Far more moose sign, it is always a treat to come across a moose yard with 20 or more well used beds.
If quality logs become scarce we could build more cruck frames!
