Tree Felling and ProcessingTree Felling and Processing

Importance of the Felling and Processing Component Importance of the Felling and Processing Component An Example: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

Importance of the Felling and Processing Component Importance of the Felling and Processing Component An Example: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

Importance of the Felling and Processing Component Importance of the Felling and Processing Component An Example: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

Importance of the Felling and Processing Component 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

Tree Felling and Processing Topics Tree Felling and Processing Topics

• Chainsaw felling and bucking• Mechanical directional felling• Log manufacturing quality control

Required Reading:• Course notes• BC Harvesting Systems Text

Chainsaw Felling and BuckingChainsaw Felling and Bucking

Project Level Planning and MonitoringProject Level Planning and Monitoringoror

Operational Planning/Layout Operational Planning/Layout & Contract Administration& Contract Administration

Interactions between loggers and

forest engineers

What are some of the important factors/

variables that should be considered?

Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/VariablesFactors/Variables

• Felling Pattern

Perpendicular

Herringbone

Contour

Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/VariablesFactors/Variables

• Terrain

Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/VariablesFactors/Variables

• Tree Lean and Weight Distribution

Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/VariablesFactors/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

Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/VariablesFactors/Variables

• Wind throw / Blow down

Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/VariablesFactors/Variables

• Stage Felling and Skidding

Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Chainsaw Felling and Bucking: Planning and Operational Factors/VariablesFactors/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)

Chainsaw Felling: The ProcessChainsaw 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)

Tree Processing: Limbing, Bucking (or Crosscutting) Tree Processing: Limbing, Bucking (or Crosscutting) and Toppingand 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 & toppedLong log or Short log system (CTL)Variation: Top attached to last log for yarding

Tree Processing: Chainsaw Considerations Tree Processing: Chainsaw Considerations

• Measure the whole tree before starting the bucking

Tree Processing: Chainsaw Considerations Tree Processing: Chainsaw Considerations

• Tree lay creates compression and tension wood

“Top, bottom and side binds”