Severe windthrows often require salvage operations that can lead to increased costs. Given these extra costs, it is of paramount importance to make sure that wood degradation does not become so advanced that significant value loss is incurred. The rate at which wood deteriorates is a function of many factors, including species and climate.

The study was conducted in a northern area affected by two partial windthrows. Logs from the damaged area were collected for two species, balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and black spruce (Picea mariana). Logs were classified into one of three degradation classes based on visual assessments. A sample of logs from standing trees was also collected. In total, 167 logs were sampled. Each log was sawn and one piece of lumber was selected from each to determine the bending strength and stiffness and the visual grade.

The time since tree death, as determined from dendrochronology, ranged from 1 to 31 years. The visual grade of the lumber was not affected after 1 year but severe downgrades were observed after 4 years. Moisture content decreased rapidly for both species during the first year and continued to decrease until 4 years after mortality. No clear decrease in bending stiffness was identified even though such a tendency was noticed for older black spruce windthrows. Bending strength became variable after 4 years for balsam fir and was reduced after 4 years for black spruce. Windthrows older than 7 years will produce low visual grade timber of reduced bending strength and possibly of lower bending stiffness.