On Tuesday, September 24th, a group of students
were taken to Oak Ridge Hardwoods Mill by Adam Taylor, a professor in Forestry
here at University of Tennessee. There
we were introduced to Chris Keziah , the 2nd
generation owner of the mill. He took us
around the grounds and explained the process of milling. That morning we were able to see some freshly
cut White Oak pallet cants in stacks.
They were perfectly straight, and a beautiful beige coloring. We were reminded that they will not stay in
that condition for long, soon to start shrinking, warping, and turning color. Chris explained to us the grading process in
which the cants go through and what graders are looking for. We also learned more about the economy of
wood, and found that there is actually a supply and demand for pallet
cants. Many cants that are cut are made
into pallets because companies need them.
If the demand happens to be low in some cases, the mill will start cutting
railroad ties instead. This means those
involved in the Green Oak Initiative will be competing in these markets trying
to show that the heart of the oak can be utilized for much bigger means. Towards the end of the tour Chris kindly told us we may come back and pick out some White Oak
cants to start building and testing, which will start soon.
On Tuesday, September 24th, a group of students
were taken to Oak Ridge Hardwoods Mill by Adam Taylor, a professor in Forestry
here at University of Tennessee. There
we were introduced to Chris Keziah , the 2nd
generation owner of the mill. He took us
around the grounds and explained the process of milling. That morning we were able to see some freshly
cut White Oak pallet cants in stacks.
They were perfectly straight, and a beautiful beige coloring. We were reminded that they will not stay in
that condition for long, soon to start shrinking, warping, and turning color. Chris explained to us the grading process in
which the cants go through and what graders are looking for. We also learned more about the economy of
wood, and found that there is actually a supply and demand for pallet
cants. Many cants that are cut are made
into pallets because companies need them.
If the demand happens to be low in some cases, the mill will start cutting
railroad ties instead. This means those
involved in the Green Oak Initiative will be competing in these markets trying
to show that the heart of the oak can be utilized for much bigger means. Towards the end of the tour Chris kindly told us we may come back and pick out some White Oak
cants to start building and testing, which will start soon. 
