Futureproof: Engineered Forests of the Future
Future Narrative
I suppose they have a beauty all their own, but it has taken a while to get used to them. These square and rectangular-column trees were introduced in Sweden about a decade ago to maximize sustainable forest output. Their shape has been bioengineered to maximize transport efficiency and reduce the milling needed to produce core hardwood lumber products. While a quarantine on squared trees is in effect, and their use is currently limited to Sweden, Finland, and Norway, one wonders if that will last.
Light filters through a grove of squared trees in the Nordic Taiga region of Sweden. Located in the northernmost counties of Västerbotten and Norrbotten, the vast region has long been known for its sustainable tree harvesting practices.
Columnar trees increase the volume of usable hardwood forest material
A mixed load of squared and rectangular trees maximizes the loadout of autonomous logging rigs.
Autonomous logging rigs scan products for flaws and then begin the wood curing process while en route to mill. Routes are often partially lined with inductive charging rails that help keep the rigs running for extended operations.
Technology
While trees vary dramatically from fruits, selective seeding of a few engineered forests has resulted in the growth of square and rectangular columnar trees. Favored by today’s largest furniture manufacturers, the new bioengineered Squared Timber™ line of lumber products increases the usable hardwood of a log by as much as twenty-seven percent.
Implications
How far are we prepared to go to optimize the natural world around us for our needs, and what could the unintended consequences of such actions be?
Related Concepts and Research
Here's what fruits and vegetables looked like before we domesticated them
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
