Minnesota DNRDivision of Forestry

Forest Biomass Harvesting

Opportunities on State Lands

Doug Tillma, NE Region Timber Program

Timber Sales Slash• DNR currently lists tops and limbs as an

“Added Timber” option on roundwood timber sales. – All roundwood sales list this option as available

unless;• Acid peatland soils• Thin soils over bedrock

– A small number of loggers currently choose this option.

– Price is 60 cents per 1000 pounds

Thinning

• Small diameter timber in dense plantations and some natural stands– Currently have not made these stands available

at timber auctions due to lack of equipment and logger interest.

• Winter access and low volume production are issues

– This type of early thinning would increase growth rates on the remaining timber

Brushlands

• Brushland harvest is available on some Forestry and Wildlife lands.– Currently have two sales appraised awaiting a

buyer– A third sale is set up and being offered

– No buyers to test feasibility of these sales

Insect and Disease Treatments

• Shearing of dwarf mistletoe infected spruce near timber harvests– Currently DNR pays for this shearing so

acreage is limited, could be expanded

• Bark beetle infested dead tamarack– Salvage sales currently available at auction

Issues/Concerns

• Lack of equipment– Too much financial risk for logger to buy equipment

• No buyers for “experimental” sales of biomass. Ex. Brushlands

• Selling price isn’t the roadblock– Transportation costs– Fuel prices, low volume production/hour– Limited markets

Contacts

• Doug Tillma, NE Region Timber Program Specialist– PH 218-999-7843

• Mimi Barzen, Northern Utilization and Marketing Coordinator– PH 218-327-4119