Three-dimensional (3-D) sawing simulation is expected to become a standard tool in the future sawmill wood procurement planning to promote more precise and sustainable use of forest resources [1]. The method requires realistic virtual 3-D sawlogs as inputs, and currently the absence of interior knot structure information introduces inaccuracy to the pre-harvest simulations. As a solution, individual knot shapes can be modelled from the exterior branch attributes [2]. However, the required branching data are difficult to obtain from standing timber.
Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) can acquire detailed 3-D point cloud data from a forest environment [3]. These data enable the reconstruction of branching structures in individual trees [4]. Here, we calibrated a knot taper equation for individual knots using TLS data of exterior stem and branching attributes. Our aim was to study the feasibilities of TLS producing realistic sawlog models with interior knot structure information for pre-harvest sawing simulation.
Keywords: terrestrial laser scanning, knot, Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.)
Authors
Jiri Pyörälä
Univeresity of Helsinki
Okko Tonteri
Juha Rikala
Marketta Sipi
Markus Holopainen
Juha Hyyppä
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