3 Comments

"Seeing like a State" has some centuries old examples of Germans experimenting with controlling tree plantations to improve yields. What I got out of it was that this is harder than you'd think.

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Nature has been improving trees for millions of years. If you want a faster growing one or a stronger one just pick from the different species that are around us rather than risk using a new developmental wood. Trimming branches back to the trunk as the tree grows removes most weak points

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I wonder how much of the variability aspect of lumber could be improved through better grading. Are they truly invisible defects? Or are they just things that we don't currently 'bother' to filter out to applications where strength is less critical?

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