rondin

Rondin is a term used in forestry and woodworking to refer to a round or cylindrical piece of wood that has been felled and transported with little or no processing. It represents unprocessed timber and is often used as a raw material for further handling in sawmills, carpentry, or energy production. In forestry terminology, rondin is closely related to roundwood, a general category that includes logs and other unprocessed trunks.

The word rondin comes from French, combining rond meaning round with the diminutive suffix -in, indicating a small or short round piece. The term emphasizes the exterior round form of the wood rather than any squared or milled shape.

Rondins vary widely in size and form. They can be short or long, and their diameters range from small branches to substantial trunks. Typical lengths can extend from about half a meter to several meters. Rondins may be debarked or left with the bark, and they can be green (freshly felled) or seasoned (air-dried or kiln-dried) depending on the intended use and handling requirements.

Primary uses include energy wood, where rondins are burned for heat or converted into pellets or biomass. They also serve as the raw input for processing into lumber, planks, posts, poles, or other wood products. In rustic or traditional construction and craft contexts, rondins may be used directly as structural elements or decorative features, valued for their natural, rounded appearance.

Rondin is a common term in French-speaking forestry and timber industries and provides a basic descriptor for unprocessed wood awaiting further processing or utilization.