Logging Costs and Cutting Methods in Young-Growth Ponderosa Pine in California

Author： McDonald Philip M. Atkinson William A. Hall Dale O.

Publisher： Society of American Foresters

ISSN： 0022-1201

Source： Journal of Forestry, Vol.67, Iss.2, 1969-02, pp. : 109-113

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

Mixed-conifer stands at the Challenge Experimental Forest, Calif., were cut to four specifications: seed-tree, group selection, single tree selection, and clear-cut. Logging costs and production rates were compared and evaluated. Cutting method had little effect on felling or skidding production; felling ranged from 1,802 to 2,019 bd ft per hour, and skidding from 3,138 to 3,761 bd ft per hour. Felling cost $3.86 per M bd ft and skidding averaged $4.57. Loading production was 5,286 bd ft per hour and averaged $2.72 per M bd ft. It varied greatly with the number of logs per load; for example, a three-log load contained 42 percent more volume but took only half the loading time of that for a 27-log load.