Pruning Costs for Four Northern Rocky Mountain Species with Three Equipment Combinations

Author： O'Hara Kevin L. Larvik Darin A. Valappil Narayanan I.

Publisher： Society of American Foresters

ISSN： 0885-6095

Source： Western Journal of Applied Forestry, Vol.10, Iss.2, 1995-04, pp. : 59-65

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Abstract

A time and motion study was conducted to determine the cost to prune ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), western larch (Larix occidentalis), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) with loppers, pole saws, and Power Pruners. Costs to prune up to 8 ft ranged from $0.61 to $2.35/tree, and from $2.34 to $6.42/tree to prune to 18 ft depending upon species, equipment, and wage assumptions. Pole saws were the recommended equipment based on cost, ease of use, and damage to trees. Multivariate models were unable to explain much variation in pruning time because of the confounding effects of so many variables. Results suggest more than three trees could be pruned to a height of 9 ft for the same cost as pruning one tree to 18 ft. Pruning more trees to a 9 ft height would therefore increase clearwood production overpruning fewer trees to 18 ft, but may necessitate some modification of current log grading standards. West. J. Appl. For. 10(2):59-65.