Understanding Log Scales and Log Rules

An authoritative description of log scales, log rules, and lumber content estimating as practiced in the field. November 24, 2006

By Brian Bond, Former Assistant Professor, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

A necessary step in determining the value of timber at the mill is establishing the estimated volume by standard scaling practices. Examples of scaling practices include measuring the weight of pulpwood to estimate the volume and measuring the dimensions of hardwood sawlogs, along with applying a log rule to determine how much lumber can be sawn from the log. This publication describes common methods of log scaling and log rules used in Tennessee.

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Understanding Log Scales and Log Rules