ARE YOU READY?
Drew Rothfus prepares for summer |
SO WHAT'S IT FOR?
(From the Lewiston Sun-Journal,
March 17, 2002)
The Maine woods yield many different paper products.
Maine’s pulp and paper industry relies on Maine forests for
three-quarters of its pulp supply, according to the North East State
Foresters Association. That means a little less than half of all the trees
cut down in Maine go to pulp and paper.
Mills here use both hardwood and softwood trees, based on product. Here’s
the breakdown, offered by David Field, professor of forest resources at
the University of Maine.
 | Spruce and fir only---this type of mill, including those in Madison,
Bucksport and Millinocket, grinds up all bits of the tree and doesn’t
use chemicals. Conifers have long, strong fibers that produce book
quality paper strong enough to run on fast printing presses without
breaking and lightweight enough to keep mailing costs low. |
| Hardwood only---this type of wood is highly absorbent. It’s used
by mills in Woodland and Old Town, where clients include Brawny paper
towels and Vanity Fair napkins. |
| Hardwood and softwood mix---this type produces papers for
publishing, catalogs, photocopying and other specialty products. Mills
like Westbrook, Rumford and Jay use this mix. |
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