Tree Felling and Processing

1. Tree Felling and Processing

2. Importance of the Felling and Processing Component An Example: For a 50 acre harvest unit in the Oregon Coast Range Clearcut of a 70 year old stand What is the total harvest volume? How many total logs? @ 50 MBF/Acre --- 2.5 MMBF @ 300 BF/Log --- 8,333 logs

3. Importance of the Felling and Processing Component An Example: For a 50 acre harvest unit in the Oregon Coast Range Clearcut of a 70 year old stand What is the total gross timber value? @ $600/MBF --- $1,500,000

4. Importance of the Felling and Processing Component An Example: For a 50 acre harvest unit in the Oregon Coast Range Clearcut of a 70 year old stand With a 5% gain in wood value in the felling and bucking process: • $75,000 value increase in one 50 acre harvest unit • For one year’s harvesting (assume 25 similar units): approx. $2,000,000 value increase

5. Importance of the Felling and Processing Component Other Reasons Why Felling and Processing is Important: • Logging productivity • Social aspects – worker safety • Environmental damage - e.g. water quality & residual stand damage

6. Tree Felling and Processing Topics • Chainsaw felling and bucking • Mechanical directional felling • Log manufacturing quality control Required Reading: • Course notes • BC Harvesting Systems Text

7. Chainsaw Felling and BuckingProject Level Planning and MonitoringorOperational Planning/Layout & Contract Administration Interactions between loggers and forest engineers What are some of the important factors/ variables that should be considered?

8. Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/Variables Contour • Felling Pattern Herringbone Perpendicular

9. Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/Variables • Terrain

10. Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/Variables • Tree Lean and Weight Distribution

11. Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/Variables • Snags and Wildlife Trees Oregon Forest Practice Rules require minimum of 2 per acre (>11” dbh; >30’) OR OSHA require that “danger trees” be felled…. ….consider the degree & direction of the tree lean

12. Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/Variables • Wind throw / Blow down

13. Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/Variables • Stage Felling and Skidding

14. Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/Variables • Time scheduling & cutting crew organization Considerations: Lead time before skidding or yarding Crew access to unit Spacing of cutters in unit (OR-OSHA: strips at least 2 tree lengths apart)

15. Chainsaw Felling: The Process • Choose the lay of the tree • Clear brush and identify an escape route from the tree (OR-OSHA: 20-25’ @ 45 angle) • Undercut or Face cut • Backcut • Wedging & Holding Wood (hinge)

16. Tree Processing: Limbing, Bucking (or Crosscutting) and Topping Where are these activities completed? At the stump, landing or sort yard! Whole tree system: trees felled; limbs & tops attached Tree length system: trees felled, limbed & topped (bucking completed separately) Log length system: trees felled, limbed, bucked & topped Long log or Short log system (CTL) Variation: Top attached to last log for yarding

17. Tree Processing: Chainsaw Considerations • Measure the whole tree before starting the bucking

18. Tree Processing: Chainsaw Considerations • Tree lay creates compression and tension wood “Top, bottom and side binds”