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This study aims to investigate wood density at different levels of moisture, basic density and shrinkage of timber from Turkey oak ( Quercus cerris L.) coppice forests growing in Central Italy. We also studied the variability in density in the trees within and among sites. Density shows no significant statistical differences in the tested population. A higher variability in the shrinkage than in the density was found. Wood moisture is referred to as dry mass and fresh mass, which is related to many performance characteristics of wood, i.e., energy production. Trends in moisture and water content were studied because these physical parameters play an important role in the specific area of firewood which requires an accurate estimation of mass, volume and energy content. This work is a contribution to improve xylo-energy estimates of small and medium forestry issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the factors affecting the costs of different logging systems, in particular considering three different bunching-extraction methods. Moreover the stumpage value of each plot was calculated, and a comparison analysis of the results is presented. The work was carried out in Central Italy, in an aged Quercus cerris L. coppice in hill zones, with a 45% average slope. Short wood system harvesting was applied. Felling and processing were performed by chainsaw, while extraction with three different methods: plot No. 1 with mules, plot No. 2 with a tractor with winch, plot No. 3 with polyethylene chute line. Transport of firewood from the forest track to the landing was made by a tractor loaded as a mule. In the plot No. 1 the costs per unit mass (30.76 €·t) were higher despite having the lower cost per hour (39.99 €·h). The reason was the lower productivity (1.3 t·h). The plot No. 2 had the highest cost per hour (66.79 €·h). However, productivity was the highest (2.7 t·h). This aspect was notable from the financial point of view (24.74 €·t). Plot No. 3 was the less expensive (23.92 €·t). Comparing the three methods, a reduction of the costs through more appropriate extraction systems may increase the stumpage value from 8.3 to 9.65 €·t. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]