Küstentanne: Holzeigenschaften und Verarbeitbarkeit der Küstentanne (Abies grandis)

Current and expected climatic changes with an already massively increasing share of damaged spruces as well as societal demands for more biodiversity in the forest require a forestry and timber industry analysis for the expansion of the tree species spectrum or the technical-economic use of wood species. According to the latest surveys, there is a clear trend towards hardwoods in Austria, which is also discussed from a wood technology point of view. The properties of wood as a raw material are generally influenced by the tree species, genetic origin, site conditions, forest management and tree age. In addition, the location of the log section to be used in each case via its position in the trunk is essential for determining the assortment. Based on the current raw material supply in Austria and Central Europe, the corresponding industrial processing chains and product categories have developed. A fundamental and significant change in tree species, in particular a significant shift in the supply spectrum from spruce-dominated softwood to hardwood, poses major challenges to the timber industry, which is currently operating very successfully. In particular, the currently rapidly growing share of softwood-based timber construction in total building construction will thus come under pressure, as the timber construction industry, which is in strong competition with other building materials, would lose an economic-technical competitive advantage.
Alternative softwood species, such as Douglas fir and coastal fir and other potentially useful softwood species, are thus gaining importance. In the current project proposal, the focus is on the coastal fir as a possible alternative or addition to the changing tree species spectrum.
Starting with a well-founded literature research in the international and national context, adding international practical experiences (especially on the part of the timber industry) existing for the coastal fir (also in comparison to other softwood species), this literature research will be complemented by qualitative expert interviews. The expert interviews will be supported by a guideline-based questionnaire, with aim is to address both national and international experts. Those expert interviews in the international are lead to case studies for the processing of coastal fir wood in order to be able to recognize and evaluate an overview and potentials of the tree species beyond the specialist publications.