A guide to the use of urban timber FB 50

BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.

A guide to the use of urban timber (FB 50) was written by Geoff Cooper and published by BRE on 31 July 2012.

Every day across the UK, thousands of tonnes of wood residue are produced through arboricultural work. However, the timber this produces is normally variable and inconsistent, resulting in problems with collection, transportation and selection. As a result, much of it is relegated to the much or firewood bin.

FB 50 is a 64-page illustrated guide to using timber from the UK’s urban timber resource, including street, park and urban woodland trees. It provides guidance on the selection and identification of high-value stems, as well as processing, drying, transport, storage and the logistical problems of dealing with felled material.

The guidance promotes the use of many common and exotic species for high-value solid wood products rather than being processed for firewood, chipped to produce mulch or sent to landfill. It is intended to help local authorities maximise the value of timber produced in towns and cities and to develop the best options for using solid wood produced during normal maintenance.

The contents of the guide are:

• Introduction.
• Material and species availability.
• Assessing stems for timber production.
• Value-added growth feature.
• A sawmill perspective.
• Timber dimensions, measurement and material grading.
• Wood drying.
• Air drying.
• The kiln drying of timber.
• Kiln drying processes.
• Drying schedules.
• Problems associated with wood drying.
• Calculating value.
• Identifying prospective markets.
• Appendix: Species list and wood property information.
• References.

--BRE Group

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