Stammholz

Stammholz, or stem wood, is a term used in forestry and the wood-products industry to denote the trunk portion of a felled tree that is suitable for further processing. It comprises the main stem and excludes branches, tops, and defects found outside the trunk. In market terms, Stammholz is the material destined for primary wood products such as lumber, veneer, and engineered wood, as opposed to other wood uses like firewood or pulpwood.

After harvest, logs are debarked, trimmed to standardized lengths (buck to length), and sorted by diameter and quality. Sorting typically considers the small-end diameter, length, straightness, knots, and other defects. This classification helps determine suitable end products and price. Stammholz is then transported to sawmills, veneer mills, or processing plants where it is debarked, cut, and milled into dimension lumber, panels, or veneer sheets, or chipped for pulp or energy if lower grades are involved.

Markets for Stammholz are influenced by tree species, growth conditions, and certification status. In many regions, Stammholz is traded by volume and grade, and long-term supply depends on sustainable forest management practices. Certification schemes such as FSC and PEFC are commonly pursued to assure responsible sourcing, protect biodiversity, and maintain forest productivity.

Overall, Stammholz represents the principal trunk material of harvested trees, forming the primary input for many wood-based products and a key component of the forest economy when managed sustainably.