Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Forests (Bowater-Scott Agreement) Act 1986 - THIRD SCHEDULE

CODE OF PRACTICE MEASURING AND ALLOWING FOR DEFECT SOFTWOOD SAWLOGS (METRIC
UNITS) This code is intended to cover- (a) tree lengths, trimmed and headed
off but not crosscut to log lengths; (b) logs cut to length for cartage. NOTE:
In reference to (b) above it is assumed that some of the defects present in
tree lengths will be docked out by judicious crosscutting into log lengths for
cartage. MEASURING 1. Measuring may take place at stump or at landing at the
discretion of the District Forester. 2. All measurements shall be taken over
bark. (Rennick forest district excepted). 3. In normal tree length measurement
sawlogs shall be measured as successive 6×3 m lengths commencing at the butt
except that top lengths may be any length not exceeding 8×4 metres. Where it
is the practice of the sawmiller to mill in 1×5 m lengths, 6×0 m lengths shall
be measured in lieu of 6×3 metres. 4. An allowance of 0×1 m for all recorded
lengths shall be given for crosscutting. 5. Centre diameter over bark of each
log or length shall be measured, using steel diameter callipers, at mid length
irrespective of whether a length allowance for defect has been made or not.
(Rennick forest district excepted). 6. Where there is a whorl of knots or
other enlargement at mid length the diameter shall be measured at a point
above or below the whorl or enlargement where the log is of normal
conformation. 7. Where it is not practicable to use diameter callipers for a
particular measurement the diameter may be measured by tape. 8. Diameters
shall be recorded to the backward whole centimetre.

ALLOWING FOR DEFECT 1. In determining allowances for defects, or supervising
the docking out of defects, it should be assumed that a wide range of lengths
of logs is acceptable to the sawmiller irrespective of the lengths that are
actually cut. "Wide range" in this context means 2×1 m and up but also
includes lengths shorter than 2×1 m in every case where it is the normal
practice of the particular miller to cut such short lengths for any purpose.
2. Allowances shall not be given for falling or snigging damage except where
in any particular case the District Forester is satisfied that such damage was
completely unavoidable. 3. Allowance for blue stain, fire damage, hail damage,
sirex treatment etc. shall only be made on specified approval from Head Office
following report and recommendation by the District Forester via the
Divisional Forester. 4. Where a fork occurs the section of the tree affected
by twin hoart and vends in the limbs at their junction with the trunk shall be
subject to an allowance. The limbs (if merchantable) of the tree above and the
bole below the defective section shall be measured as if they were separate
trees. 5. A bend occurs where the distance between the surface of the bark and
a 2×1 m straight edge laid along the log exceeds one-fifth of the diameter of
the log. The allowance for bend shall be the length of log affected by bend.
6. Knots exceeding 75 mm in diameter, measured across the shorter axis, shall
be subject to allowance. The allowance to be given shall be determined by
multiplying the length of log affected (angular projection of the knot into
the log) by the proportion of the cross-section of the log affected and
expressing the result as a length allowance to the nearer 0×1 metre. 7. An
allowance of the full length affected shall be given where two or more whorls
of cone holes occur within any 0×9 m length of log. For the purpose of this
clause whorl of cone holes means three or more cone holes within 0×1 m length
of log. 8. Miscellaneous defects subject to allowance are: (i) Twisted stem
and break resulting from stem. The allowance shall be the length of log
visibly affected. (ii) Rot, dry, side, fire scar and previous mechanical
damage. The allowance shall be determined by multiplying the length of log
affected by the average cross-sectional area of the log affected and
expressing the result as a length allowance to the nearer 0×1 metre.
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