When forests are overstocked with stands of small-diameter trees, the risk of uncharacteristic, high-intensity wildfires increases. Finding new ways to use these small trees helps improve forest health and resiliency.
Andy Hinz, owner of Golden West Pine Mills in Ault, Colo., works diligently to combat this ‘small’ forest problem. Hinz was recognized as the Colorado State Forest Service’s 2022 Partner of the Year for the mill’s adoption of an innovative manufacturing process: Edge-Glue-And-Rip (EGAR). This sawmill in northeastern Colorado now creates EGAR products, and the results are strong, high-quality mass timber products made from otherwise undesirable small-diameter timber.