Technology Improvement in Logging
Contents:
Sophisticated Operations
Mechanized Equipment Features
Purpose-Built Heavy Equipment
Forest Operation Methods—Logging
Forest Operation Methods—Roads
Forest Operation Methods—Forestry
Forestry Instruments
Since 1990, advances in Oregon forest operations technology over the last 20+ years
have changed logging and forest management techniques at a lightning fast pace.
Continuous improvement in forest engineering and operations helps meet America’s
demand for forest products, while complying with ever-improving ecological demands.
Technology has been a key to better care for the forest environment, as well as
improved safety, productivity, growth, and fiber utilization.
Sophisticated Operations
The operational sophistication of today’s modern forest mechanization, harvesting,
and management methods is a surprise to most people! Improved technology in Oregon
forest operations yields:
- Healthier environment
- Improved safety
- Higher productivity
- Greater fiber utilization
- Increased timber growth
- Superior resource sustainability
- Advanced forest protection
- Better future for forestry careers
In the last two decades, much has changed for the better in Oregon’s forests. Recent
innovations in logging methods combine with forest science to improve techniques
for forest operations, including: low-impact harvesting, reducing fire risk, keeping
forests looking healthy, well-designed road access, protecting streams, and enhancing
wildlife habitat.
The latest technology makes sustainable forestry and ecosystem management possible
during harvesting, roading, transportation, and the full life-cycle of a forest.
The growing and harvesting of trees is an effective tool to sustain desired forest
resources over time—timber, water, wildlife, fish, recreation and aesthetics—that’s
sustainable forest management!
The sophisticated machinery in the forest today has surprising capabilities. Modern
logging equipment can now process an entire tree into log lengths in one motion,
thereby saving time, improving safety, and reducing impacts on the environment.
Computer systems are integrated into forest machinery, producing optimized performance,
less energy use, a cleaner environment and greater wood utilization. Today’s machines
are purpose-built to be more efficient, safer, cleaner running, and have lower site
impacts.
Much of this innovation in forest operations results from machinery engineers working
in tandem with skilled loggers, who apply their extensive on-the-ground experience
to continually improve the machines, methods and mechanization.
While all the machinery innovations are amazing, forestry operations have also improved
through the many methods applied to manage trees, forests, and natural resources.
Continuous improvement in forest operational methods has advanced the many success
stories in forest roads, forestry and logging.
Take a look below at the many recent innovations in forest operations—just in the
last 20 years!
Mechanized Equipment Features
The sophisticated machinery in the forest today has surprising capabilities—many
advantages developed or improved just in the last two decades. Mechanization has
improved worker safety, enhanced environmental protection, and grown production
performance.
Processor Head. Fully-mechanized “processor” assembly, mounted
on boom of a purpose-built forestry machine. The “dangle-head” processor measures,
“bucks” and delimbs trees into optimum log products, as the operator controls are
assisted by computer optimizing programs. Reduces waste and worker use of chainsaw;
improves quality, production, safety and environmental protection.
Hot Saw. A boom-mounted tree cutting head, which quickly cuts trees
from the stump without damaging the wood. High-speed circular saw blade (shown at
bottom of red “head”), cuts tree stumps up to 30 inches in diameter. Reduces waste
and worker use of chainsaws; improves quality, production, safety and environmental
protection.
Self-Leveling Machine. Undercarriage tracks with the terrain slope,
while machine body remains balanced & level. Reduces waste and worker use of chainsaws;
improves quality, production, safety and environmental protection.
Off-Road, Hi-Track Log “Shovel”. High-clearance undercarriage,
tracked log loading machine, which is well-balanced and can reach far to move logs
and whole trees. Reduces workers needed to set chokers on logs; improves quality,
production, safety and environmental protection.
Low Ground Pressure Undercarriages. Advanced mechanical engineering
in today’s purpose-built forestry equipment is lighter, the weight is evenly distributed
over a larger footprint, wide gripping wheels or wide tracks yield low pressure,
purpose-built suspensions balance machine weight, and electronic drive-systems improve
power control & traction—all which combine reduce the forestry machine ground disturbance,
and improve performance, production and safety.
Cab Rollover Protection. Engineered crush-proof operator cab protects
operator safety in case of accidental machine tip-over.
Mobile Spar Tower. Large track-mounted skyline yarders and telescoping
steel spar tower, which can be readily collapsed and un-rigged, for single-load
highway transport on a “low boy” semi-trailer—enhancing performance, safety, thereby
reducing labor, cost and downtime.
Electronic Control. Electro-mechanical sensors, measuring devices,
and operator controls, which report to on-board computers that direct mechanical
or hydraulic performance of a machine, or machine mechanism—enhancing performance,
safety, environmental protection, and reducing labor.
Multi-Process Electronics. Operator cab controls that perform multi-tasking
of numerous machine functions through joy sticks, toggles, touch screens, monitors,
switches, levers, pedals, and more—enhancing performance, production, environmental
protection, and safety.
Joy Stick Controls. Primary machine functions and movements are
often controlled by one or two joysticks. The operator seat and control station
is within the heavy equipment cab. Controls perform multi-tasking of numerous machine
functions—which enhance performance, environmental protection, and safety.
Ergonomic Operator Cab/Controls. The operator cabs in forestry
heavy equipment are now designed for comfort, efficiency, and function. Operator
cabs reduce long-term physical and mental wear & tear on the operator. Improved
ergonomic features include: seating; controls; work visibility, range-of-motion,
positioning, and climate control. These improved features enhance operator health,
safety, environmental protection, and performance.
Computer-Optimized Log Cutting. Fully-mechanized “bucking” trees
into optimum log products by operator controls assisted by on-board computer optimizing
programs and electronic control. Reduces waste and worker use of chainsaws; improves
quality, production, safety and environmental protection.
Computer-Performance Data Records. The advent of on-board computers
and wireless communications in purpose-built forestry machines facilitates beneficial
capabilities that improve decision-making, performance and safety. Advances include
production data recording, data downloads, machine performance data, locational
devices, and wireless data transfer. Reduces waste and downtime; improves work planning,
quality, production, safety and environmental protection.
Hydrostatic/Hydraulic Power. Continually upgraded hydraulic power
technology in forestry machines produces, optimum performance. Machine function
control by the operator is transformed into precise hydraulic power & movement for
optimum machine performance; increases real-time and simultaneous integration of
multiple powered functions. The diesel engine primarily powers hydraulic and electrical
systems—enhancing performance, safety, environmental protection, and reducing labor.
Improved Diesel Power. Continually upgraded diesel power technology
in forestry machines and trucks produces, optimum performance, fuel conservation,
lighter power, reduced emissions, greater safety, and easier maintenance—enhancing
performance, environmental protection, and reducing labor.
Low-Maintenance Engineering. Improved designs and maintenance regimens
that reduce downtime and malfunctions, while increasing production & safety.
Diagnostic Electronics. On-board electronic monitoring of the machine’s
mechanical performance assists with timely equipment maintenance, trouble-shooting
problems, diagnosing needed repairs, and reducing downtime.
Reduced Diesel Emissions. Advanced diesel engineering in today’s
heavy equipment reduces exhaust emissions, improves fuel economy, and boosts environmental
protection.
Synthetic Rope. The advent of light-weight, strong poly rope for
industrial applications, is in some instances replacing the heavier cable “wire
rope” commonly used in logging. At a fraction of the weight, synthetic rope is useful
for remote rigging situations, log truck wrappers, cable anchor straps, tree climbing,
and lift-tree rigging. This improves worker safety, health and productivity, while
reducing fatigue and injury.
Electronic Chokers. This purpose-built device allows for the remote
radio-controlled mechanical release of logs from their cable binders, called “chokers.”
After the chocker is manually connected to the log, once the log reaches the roadside
landing, the choker is electronically released—improving safety and reducing labor.
Radio-controlled, remote mechanical operation. Improved industrial
radio-control electronics include an array of purpose-built signaling devices for
remote operation of mechanical forestry machines and applications, including: skyline
carriage control; radio air whistle “tooter”; electronic choker release; grapple-carriage
remote camera control; lateral log slackpulling; helicopter long-line release, and
remote firing for rock blasting for road building & quarries. The radio whistle
used in cable logging signals audio “toots,” which alert all personnel of cable
movements. Shown above, the worker with red suspenders controls operation of the
cable-suspended carriage that is lifting the logs. Remote control of up to eight
functions enhances performance, safety, environmental protection, and reduces labor.
Wireless Communications. The advent of wireless communication technology
in the last two decades has benefitted forest operations, just as it has transformed
all business and society. Industrial wireless applications purpose-built for forestry
have advanced in recent years, including: global positioning systems (GPS), satellite
GPS messenger, locational devices, satellite phones, cellular phones, wireless data
transfer, wireless data transfer of machine performance, internet connection, durable
two-way portable radios, and even the citizen’s band radio (CB) is still used for
forestry communication. Advances in wireless communication have improved forest
operation safety, production, timeliness, environmental protection, and performance.
Purpose-Built Heavy Equipment
Many modern logging and forestry machines are specifically designed and built for
the unique demands of forest operations—even those conditions found in Oregon forests.
Many of the machines used to manage Oregon forests are built in Oregon as well (all
three North American major cable logging carriage manufacturers are located in Oregon).
We say, forest heavy equipment is “purpose-built,” because today’s machine designs
are based on decades of harvesting/forestry experience and engineering. Purpose-built
forestry machines improve worker safety, enhance environmental protection, and elevate
performance. Take a look at 15 machines that were developed and perfected since
1990.
Feller-Buncher. This purpose-built forestry machine is designed
to operate off-road, where it works in a harvest area to skillfully hold & cut a
tree, then lift-and-lay each tree in a desired location with a couple other trees,
called a “bunch.” The machine has a high-clearance tracked undercarriage and a long
boom, which enhances performance, environmental protection, and safety. Reduces
workers using chainsaws needed to fall trees.
Processor. This purpose-built forestry machine is designed to operate
at the roadside log landing or nearby off-road, in cutting logs from whole trees
with a dangle-head processor on a loader boom. The processor skillfully delimbs
and “bucks” the whole trees into desired log lengths. An on-board computer and electronic
controls optimize log products cut. The machine works in in a variety of harvest
applications; it has a high-clearance tracked undercarriage and a long boom, which
enhances performance, environmental protection, and safety. Reduces workers using
chainsaws needed to buck & delimb trees.
Stroke Delimber. This purpose-built forestry machine is designed
to operate at the roadside log landing or nearby off-road, in cutting logs from
whole trees with a horizontal stroking tube. The processor skillfully delimbs and
“bucks” the whole trees into desired log lengths. An on-board computer and electronic
controls optimize log products cut. The machine works on the landing or in harvest
applications where ample operating space is available; it has a high-clearance tracked
undercarriage and a stroking head, which enhances performance, environmental protection,
and safety. Reduces workers using chainsaws needed to buck & delimb trees.
Shovel Logger. This log loader is designed to operate off-road,
where it works in a harvest area to lift-and-swing logs from side-to-side, in a
progression that moves logs or whole trees from the stump to the roadside landing.
Called “shovel logging,” the machine has a high-clearance tracked undercarriage
and a long heel-grapple boom, which enhances performance, environmental protection,
and improves safety. Reduces workers needed to set chokers on logs.
Slackpulling Motorized Carriage. As part of the skyline cable logging
system, this purpose-built motorized machine rides on suspended cables into the
harvest area to retrieve logs and lift them to the roadside log landing. The slackpulling
carriage comes in many sizes, and has a hydraulic-powered device that pulls cable
in & out of the carriage, allowing the logging crew to reach far sideways to connect
onto logs. The “carriage” machine functions are fully radio-controlled by logging
workers using hand-held radio “bugs.” This innovation has streamlined skyline logging
to enhance performance, safety, environmental protection, and reduce labor.
Drum Motorized Carriage. As part of the skyline cable logging system,
this purpose-built motorized machine (shown in red) rides on suspended cables into
the harvest area to retrieve logs and lift them to the roadside log landing. The
drum carriage comes in many sizes, and has cable-spooling drum that pulls cable
in & out of the carriage, allowing the logging crew to reach far sideways to connect
onto logs. The “carriage” machine functions are fully radio-controlled by logging
workers using hand-held radio “bugs.” This innovation has streamlined skyline logging
to enhance performance, safety, environmental protection, and reduce labor.
Grapple Carriage. As part of the skyline cable logging system,
this purpose-built machine rides on suspended cables into the harvest area to retrieve
logs and lift them to the roadside log landing. The grapple carriage comes in two
sizes, has a log-grabbing grapple powered by an accumulator, and monitored by an
on-board ag-cam camera. The “carriage” machine functions are fully radio-controlled
by the yarder operator who views the carriage camera monitor and uses a controller.
This innovation has streamlined skyline logging to enhance performance, safety,
environmental protection, and reduce labor.
Harvester-Processor. This purpose-built forestry machine is designed
to operate off-road, where it skillfully holds & cuts a tree, lifts-and-lays each
tree in a desired location, then delimbs and “bucks” the tree into desired log lengths.
An on-board computer and electronic controls optimize log products cut. The machine
works in thinning immature forests, has a high-clearance wheeled or tracked undercarriage
and a long boom, which enhances performance, environmental protection, and safety.
Reduces workers using chainsaws needed to fall, buck, and delimb trees.
Forwarder. This purpose-built forestry machine operates off-road,
where it moves through a harvested area to pick-up logs typically cut by a harvester-processor,
and then carries the logs on a rear bunk to unload at the roadside log landing.
An on-board log heel-grapple and boom is used to load & unload logs—loading grapple
may also load log trucks. The machine works in thinning immature forests, has a
high-clearance wheeled undercarriage, which enhances performance, environmental
protection, and safety. Reduces workers needed to set chokers on logs.
Log Loader Attachment, Yarder. This purpose built attachment readily
converts a log loader “shovel” into a small “yarder” machine, for skyline cable
logging. A small-log, tracked cable lifter with a boom; this mobile short-distance
machine’s cable is rigged from the boom to the harvest area below the road; a carriage
rides the cable and connects to logs using additional cables; logs or small trees
are lifted and carried on slopes uphill from the stump to the roadside landing area.
Several attachment configurations possible: “yoader” yarder with carriage; “jammer”
yarder highlead, or “speeder” tong thrower. The attachment affords dual application
versatility from a single machine; this log yarding machine is well-suited for reaching
logs short distances on slopes below a road, which enhances performance, safety,
and environmental protection. Reduces need for mobilizing a larger yarder for small
harvest areas or low timber volumes.
Truck/Trailer-Mount Yarder. This purpose-built small economical
“yarder” machine may be configured as a trailer or mounted on a heavy truck (a small
version mounts on rear of a farm tractor). This skyline cable logging machine is
a small-log mover; cable is rigged from the short tower (20-40’ tall) to the far
side of the harvest area; a carriage rides the cable and connects to logs using
additional cables; logs or small trees are lifted and carried on slopes from the
stump to the roadside landing area; suitable for thinning. This log yarding machine
is well-suited for reaching small logs moderate distances on slopes; machine enhances
performance, safety, and environmental protection. An economical cable yarder that
reduces need to mobilize a larger yarder for small harvest areas and thinning low
timber volumes.
Hi-Track Skidder. Re-designed track system purpose-built to improve
traction in forest conditions, thereby reducing ground disturbance and increasing
performance. As shown, equipped with a lift arch grapple to grab & pull logs with
the leading end suspended off the ground. Skidder also made in a wheeled version.
This high-clearance undercarriage, tracked log skidding machine is well-balanced
to move logs and whole trees; enhances performance, environmental protection, and
improves safety. Reduces workers needed to set chokers on logs.
Track Hoe. Tracked road builder, equipped with a special clam-shell
dig bucket that is customized to excavate and build forest roads. The rotating clam-shell
is mounted on a digging boom to dig-lift-load dirt, stumps, debris and rock during
forest road construction and reconstruction. This machine improves quality, production,
environmental protection, and performance.
Hydro-Seeder Trailer. Trailer equipped with a hydro-seed machine.
Machine includes a water tank, and hoppers for grass seed and mulch, mixer, pump
and spray hose; trailer pulled by a heavy truck. Used to spray grass seed & mulch
mixture that re-vegetates forest roadsides, ditches and landings for erosion control.
This machine reduces soil erosion and road runoff, while better protecting the environment.
Pressure Washer Trailer. Trailer equipped with a slip-on pressure
washer and tank. Unit mounted either on a utility truck or trailer; includes a water
tank, pump, and spray hose; trailer pulled by a heavy truck. Used to spray-clean
heavy equipment that removes debris, soil and weed seeds to prevent invasive seed
transport. Use of pressure washer to clean heavy equipment reduces movement of unwanted
or invasive plant seeds, while better protecting the environment.
Forest Operation Methods—Logging
Continuous technology improvement in forest logging operation methods has improved
safety, productivity, environmental protection, and fiber utilization.
Whole-Tree Harvesting. This efficient logging system moves the
entire tree from the stump to the roadside landing. It is applies to either ground-based,
skyline cable, or helicopter logging. When used in ground applications, a “feller-buncher”
cuts and creates piles of trees readied for either a grapple skidder or a shovel
to pull the tree bunches to the roadside. When used in skyline cable or helicopter
applications, the cut & felled trees are attached to suspended cables overhead using
chokers, and then the tree is lifted and aerially moved to the roadside. Whole trees
are delimbed and bucked into logs at the roadside log landing by a “processor” or
“stroke delimber.” This system became common in the late 1990s, when second- and
third-growth harvests prevailed. It’s applicable for use on all terrain, gentle
ground or slopes, and where tree size is not large.
Cut-To-Length Harvesting. This thinning ground-based logging system
utilizes just two machines and two operators to harvest, skid and load logs. The
“harvester-processor” machine cuts, delimbs, bucks trees into logs, and sorts the
logs into piles alongside the trail. The “forwarder” machine then follows to pick
up the logs, carry them on its rear bunk to the roadside log landing, and load them
onto a log truck. Originated in Europe, but perfected in Oregon during the 1990s,
this method is suited to thinning immature forests on gentle to moderate slopes.
Cable Thin Harvesting. This thinning skyline-based logging system
utilizes a small mobile skyline yarder, motorized carriage, and specialized rigging
techniques to harvest and yard logs in a partial cut situation that retains a thrifty
forest post-harvest. The use of purpose-built small cable systems—makes it possible
to commercially-thin immature forests located on slopes too steep for ground-based
harvesting machines to operate. The cut-trees must be skillfully threaded through
the leave-trees without damaging the uncut trees. For some situations, thinning
improves forest value growth while offering different environmental benefits.
Shovel Logging. This effective ground-based logging system utilizes
an off-road tracked log loader machine (called a “shovel”) to move logs, or whole
trees, from the stump to the roadside landing. The “shovel” log loader works in
a harvest area to lift-and-swing logs/trees from side-to-side, in a progression
that moves logs/trees from the stump to the roadside landing. Called “shovel logging,”
the machine has a high-clearance tracked undercarriage and a long heel-grapple boom.
Becoming more common in the 1990s, this method is suited to regeneration harvests
on gentle to moderate slopes, where timber volume is sufficient and distances are
not great.
Helicopter Logging. This high-cost logging system utilizes a utility-size
or larger heavy-lift helicopter to aerially-lift logs, or whole trees, from the
stump to the roadside landing drop-site. The helicopter flies the logs/trees far
off the ground, while suspended from a longline cable. In use prior to the 1990s,
this method and its techniques have since been improved for specialized logging
applications. Helicopter logging is best suited to regeneration harvests—possibly
in partial harvests—within 1.5 mile of the landing, where tree value, volume, and
resource values are sufficient to warrant the expense.
Biomass Recovery, In-Woods. Innovation of mobile whole-tree biomass
processing plants makes it possible in-the-forest to produce ground-up waste woody
“biomass”—a product burned at a biomass plant to produce electricity. A mobile grinder
or chipper machine grinds the whole-trees, to produce a waste wood product called
“hog fuel,” which is conveyed into a waiting semi-truck trailer van. This system
became possible in the late 1990s, when electricity & natural gas values increased,
and when surplus small trees overcrowded many forests. It’s applicable for in-woods
use where sufficient concentration of low-value logs/trees and large landing size
is available. More commonly, biomass logs are trucked to a chip plant that’s centrally-located
at an industrial log yard, rather than at many remote in-woods locations.
Chip-Log Recovery, In-Woods. Innovation of mobile whole-tree biomass
processing plants makes it possible in-the-forest to produce quality wood chips
for pulp& paper-making. A mobile debarker machine cleans the logs, prior to a second
whole-log chipper machine that produces wood chips that are blown into a waiting
semi-truck trailer van. The waste bark and sawdust (called “hog fuel”) are loaded
into a second semi-trailer van. This system became possible in the late 1990s, when
chip value increased. It’s applicable for in-woods use where sufficient concentration
of low-value logs and large landing size is available. More commonly, chip logs
are trucked to a chip plant that’s centrally-located at an industrial log yard,
rather than at many remote in-woods locations.
Log Suspension. Lifting logs during their movement from the stump
to the roadside landing has become more common in today’s logging. Log suspension
during inhaul typically involves lifting the leading end of each log off the ground
during both ground skidding and cable yarding—thereby reducing ground disturbance,
protecting the environment, and increasing safety & production. Often during cable
yarding, and always during helicopter yarding, the entire log is completely lifted
clear of the ground during a majority of its movement toward the road.
Low Soil Disturbance. Although some soil exposure and disturbance
is common during harvesting—mostly at roadside log landings, roadsides and skidtrails—contemporary
logging practices and Oregon forest regulations work to minimize such disturbance
and to strategically locate & time the exposure to prevent unnecessary soil erosion,
soil compaction and runoff. A priority during every operation is to maintain soil
productivity and prevent muddy water delivery to streams, wetlands and lakes from
the operations.
Near-Water Operations. Modern forest protection laws and forest
management practices customarily restrict machinery operations near streams, wetlands
and lakes. Since 1994, Oregon improved water protection rules assure high compliance
with specific standards that: limit machine operation near water; prescribe set-back
distances; prevent sediment delivery; provide tree buffers; retain understory vegetation;
and contribute habitat diversity.
Temporary Crossings. Crossing of streams is minimized during harvest
operations by skidding or temporary roads; and when a crossing is necessary, then
special stream protection standards are applied to plan, schedule, install, use,
maintain and remove those crossing structures. Preventing sediment delivery to streams
is always a key objective for operations near water.
Oregon Plan Watershed Voluntary Measures--Logging. Since 1998,
Oregon’s forest industry has been the state’s leading sector in contributing voluntary
stream habitat enhancements, as a participant in the Oregon Plan for Salmon & Watersheds.
During harvesting, many forest landowners and operators cooperate with state fish
& wildlife biologists to voluntarily design & implement extra stream enhancements,
beyond those require by the rules, such as: large wood placement in fish streams;
extra leave trees near water; snag retention or creation; stream alcove addition;
and wetland retention islands.
Fire Prevention. Every summer, as forest conditions dry and potential
for wildfire ignition increases, every operation implements special logging practices
and Oregon forest regulations aimed to prevent unwanted forest fires, as well as
preparedness to attack and extinguish any fire start. In the past two decades, Oregon
industrial operations have had exceptional success in reducing operation fires (most
Oregon forest fires caused by recreationists and lightning). While prescribed fire
use and burning has its place in modern forest management, unwanted wildfires are
aggressively prevented on forest operations.
Prescribed Fire. Managed fire, called “prescribed fire,” is a tool
that is carefully utilized under well-planned and strategically timed forest operations—and
is often associated with logging and reforestation projects. Burning of excess forest
fuels is carried-out by forest professionals during the wetter seasons when fire
escape can be achieved—whether created by harvesting “slash” limbs & tree tops,
or naturally-accumulated by forest growth & mortality. In the past two decades,
Oregon forest operations have had exceptional success in conducting controlled prescribed
burning to meet forestry objectives. Prescribed fire use and burning has its place
in modern forest management, for a number of objectives, including: preparing forest
sites for successful tree reforestation; reducing unwanted fuel/fire hazards; preventing
future destructive wildfires; removing excess woody fuels and harvest slash; and
controlling unwanted pests, disease, or invasive species.
Spill Prevention. Oregon forest regulations require forest operators
to take appropriate clean-up actions when their operations have accidental release
of petroleum products, chemicals or hazardous materials. It is common practice in
forest operations to plan and take precautions that minimize the incidence, size,
and impact of such accidental discharges. In recent years, spill prevention and
response planning has become effective at minimizing and containing spills on forest
operations.
Invasive Species Prevention. In recent years, forest landowners
have become concerned about problem invasive brush and noxious weeds. Invasive,
or non-native, plants increasingly impact reforestation, forest growth, native vegetation,
and forage; and forest managers now include invasive plant prevention in project
plans. Forest operations often implement invasive spread control efforts during
operations, including: control plans; equipment inspection and cleaning debris/seeds
before machinery is transported; herbicide control; and equipment pressure washing.
Pro-Logger Certification. The Oregon Professional Logger program
(OPL) is a voluntary professional standard that certifies harvest-related companies
for their continuing education in forest practices, safety, business and sustainable
forestry. OPL is the ‘Certified Logging Professional’ training program recognized
by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative(SFI) in Oregon. The OPL is a professional
standard, designed by loggers for loggers.
Logging/Transportation Planning. Because the forest road network
is a valuable forestland investment and it provides necessary crucial access for
forest management, the planning of roads for logging purposes is a priority for
forest landowners. Modern forest logging/transportation planning incorporates the
latest in aerial photo imagery, Lidar mapping, GPS locational tools, GIS mapping
and data assets, environmental protection, forest road & log engineering and logging
systems technology. Before any harvest, forest road plans, locations, designs, and
construction assure that each road investment is effective for planned logging systems
and harvest patterns.
Forest Operation Methods—Roads
Continuous technology improvement in forest road construction and maintenance operation
methods has improved safety, productivity, environmental protection, and fiber utilization.
Road Construction Practices. Contemporary forest road construction
practices and Oregon forest regulations (post-2000), work together to minimize undesirable
soil erosion and water runoff problems—both during construction and in the future
during road use and the road’s long-term stability. Within just a couple-few years
after a forest road is built, its design features and re-vegetation should yield
a sound environmentally-stable road asset. Although some temporary and minor soil
exposure and disturbance is common in the year or two during construction—and possibly
during periodic road use at harvesting—modern forest road designs are planned to
sustain a stable forest road that is very compatible with the forest watershed for
the long-term. Modern forest roads and their accompanying drainage systems are designed
to perform such that muddy water delivery to streams, wetlands and lakes is prevented.
Legacy Road Reconstruction. Many existing forest roads in Oregon
were built, or last used, prior to the advent of today’s improved road construction
practices and Oregon forest regulations (prior to 1990s-2000s). Because every forest
road encounters a different situation—unique terrain & geology, local climate &
vegetation, a different maintenance & use history, and earlier design features—these
older, so-called “legacy roads” typically are evaluated for reconstruction before
use again in a harvest operation. Forest road reconstruction affords the opportunity
to redesign and retro-fit the old legacy road; rebuilding the road using current
standards and practices that would improve the road performance, use capability,
and long-term asset value.
Wet Weather Road Use. Contemporary forest road use practices and
Oregon forest regulations (post-2003), work together to minimize undesirable soil
erosion and water runoff problems—which could potentially occur during wet weather
road use in a harvest operation. Oregon has thorough standards that require operations
to prevent muddy water delivery into streams—by performing tactics that direct road
runoff onto the forest floor (rather than into a stream).
Although some temporary and minor soil exposure and disturbance is possible on roads
and landings during road use at harvesting—modern forest road designs are planned
to sustain a stable forest road that is very compatible with the forest watershed
for the long-term. Modern forest roads and their accompanying drainage systems are
designed to perform such that muddy water delivery to streams, wetlands and lakes
is prevented.
Managed Road Systems. As described above, contemporary forest road
practices and Oregon forest regulations (since 2000s), work together to minimize
undesirable erosion, water runoff or stability problems—which could potentially
occur during construction, road use, or later not in active use. Forest landowners
are required to maintain their forest roads, and road drainage systems, in a manner
that minimizes unwanted resource impacts.
Modern forest road designs are planned to sustain a stable forest road that is very
compatible with the forest watershed for the long-term. When properly maintained
or vacated, modern forest roads and their accompanying drainage systems are designed
to perform such that muddy water delivery to streams, wetlands and lakes is prevented
over the long-term. Because the forest road is such an important asset, landowners
will strategically manage their road networks using a variety of tactics that protect
the investment and minimize road-related resource damage, including: road closure,
gated access, periodic patrol of condition, storm patrol, routine maintenance, vacating
road segments, and so forth.
Oregon Plan Watershed Voluntary Measures--Roads. Since 1998, Oregon’s
forest industry has been the state’s leading sector in contributing voluntary stream
habitat enhancements, as a participant in the Oregon Plan for Salmon & Watersheds.
During road planning and reconstruction, many forest landowners and operators cooperate
with state fish & wildlife biologists to voluntarily design & implement extra road
drainage and stream crossing enhancements, beyond those require by the rules, such
as: early replacement/reconstruction of crossing structures that provide fish passage;
construction of a natural bottom culvert or bridge, where a round pipe would suffice;
installation of additional road cross-drainage structures; road relocation to stable
sites; extra durable rock surfacing near water; rapid re-vegetation and rock rip-rap
of cut slopes; extra fill slope armoring.
Functioning Drainage. One or more road design features that intentionally
route and alter road water runoff, away from the road surface and cut slope, to
the desired location—typically send runoff toward the forest floor, where the runoff
water can slowly filter into the ground. Additionally, drainage features intend
to slow and frequently intercept runoff water. Common features include: the road
surface crown, in/out-slope surface, durable road surface, cutslope ditch, cross-drains,
berm/no berm, grade changes, grade-roll over stream crossing, and sediment traps.
Disconnected Road Drainage. Purpose: To “disconnect” road ditch
from the stream. A road design feature that redirects water runoff, away from the
road surface and ditch toward the forest floor, where the runoff water can filter
into the ground. Always “disconnect” road ditches from streams! Prior to the 1990s,
this feature was not a universal forest road design standard in Oregon. Shown in
the figure, two culverts are located uphill from the road stream crossing, and are
intended to cross-drain the approaching ditch water onto the forest floor—“disconnecting”
the ditch flow from the stream, rather than allowing the ditch water to flow into
the stream.
Drain Runoff into Filter. A road design feature that directs ditch
water runoff, if possible toward the forest floor, where the runoff water can filter
into the ground. Shown in the picture, the ditch water is directed onto the forest
floor—rather than allowing the ditch water to flow into the stream.
Cross-Drain Runoff into Filter. A road design feature that uses
a cross-drain structure to redirect water runoff, from the ditch toward the forest
floor, where the runoff water can filter into the ground. Shown in the picture,
a culvert cross-drains the ditch water onto the forest floor downhill of the road—rather
than allowing the ditch water to accumulate uphill of the road.
Hard Road Surface. A road design feature that assure that the surface
of the road is a “hard” cap that’s able to withstand the planned uses and road conditions.
The term “durable surface” specifically refers to a rock aggregate surfacing comprised
of hard rock that won’t degrade under use (OR Forest Practices Rules). To support
the hard surface under heavy forestry use, modern forest roads are constructed to
include road subgrade compaction and other methods. Maintenance blading of a hard
road surface is essential prior to heavy use, during use, and after use. In forest
operations, a hard road surface is achieved through either: rock aggregate surfacing;
dry-season compacted native surfacing; frozen winter surface; shoulder-season compact
native surface with strategic use; or paved surface.
Road Drainage Maintenance. A road use and maintenance provision
that requires forest landowners to maintain their forest roads drainage structures
in a serviceable condition, in a manner to keep them properly functioning and minimizes
unwanted resource impacts. Maintenance may include periodic patrol of condition,
culvert cleanout, ditch cleanout, storm patrol, and routine maintenance.
Additional Road Cross-Drainage. A road use and maintenance provision
that requires forest landowner investment in older roads, to install additional
cross-drainage (culverts, dips, waterbars), where existing legacy drainage is insufficient
to support wet weather road use during a planned forest harvest operation.
Reconstruct During Dry Season. A road use and maintenance provision
that requires completion of road reconstruction activities near/crossing streams,
during the dry season months prescribed by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry, called
the “in-stream work period”.
Road Drainage Mitigation. A road use and maintenance provision
that requires during wet weather forest operations, forest operators should perform
necessary tactics that direct road water runoff onto the forest floor—rather than
delivering muddy water into streams. Tactics may include: dry-season drainage reconstruction,
prior seed & mulch, frequent road blading to crown & drain, spot rocking, durable
rock surfacing, adding rocked turnouts, reshaping ditches after damage, sediment
traps in ditches, emergency cross-drain installation, periodic patrols, truck-haul
metering/delays, and extra maintenance.
Ditch Sediment Traps. A road use and maintenance provision that
requires during wet weather forest operation, forest operators should perform necessary
tactics that direct road water runoff onto the forest floor—rather than delivering
muddy water into streams. Where cross drain flow could potentially reach a stream,
additional sediment-trapping tactics may include: straw bales, check dams, catch
basins, wattles, rock dams/gabions, fine slash, or erosion control blankets.
Gated Road Access. A road use and maintenance provision that is
becoming more prevalent is the gated closure (or blocked closure) of forest roads
in Oregon during critical wet seasons, special habitat periods, or hazardous fire
conditions. When properly maintained or limited access during critical months, modern
forest roads and their accompanying drainage systems are designed to perform for
a smorgasbord of resource benefits. Because the forest road is such an important
asset, landowners will strategically manage their road networks using a variety
of tactics that protect the investment and minimize road-related resource damage,
including road closure and limited access using gates or other structures.
Full-Bench Road Construction. A road construction design feature
that is applied on steep side slopes; nowadays, this method of new road construction
builds a more stable forest road that is sustainable for future use and is less
likely to experience undesirable runoff or sloughing of soil downhill. The road
prism is constructed by cutting and removing the soil/rock (shown below dotted line),
called “end haul” because the soil is hauled by truck for construction-use filled
in another location. Normal road building on gentle slopes typically uses a balance
“cut & fill” method that creates the road prism by a combination of both cutting
and filling at the same location. While more costly, “full-bench” method is unlikely
to suffer erosion or fill sloughing, because there is no fill material placed on
a steep slope.
Stream Crossing for Fish Passage. A new road construction design
feature that requires forest roads, which cross a fish-bearing stream, to be designed
and installed to allow fish passage through the crossing structure. Round culverts,
squash culverts, counter-sunk culverts, pipe arches, or bridges can achieve this
objective.
Size Culvert for Stream Flow. A new road construction design feature
that requires road stream crossing structures to be designed for the calculated
“50-year storm event” volume from the upslope drainage area. An engineering computation
is necessary, based on local data tables, irrespective of dry summer status.
Natural Bottom Culverts. A road construction design feature that
uses an enhancement that improves fish passage through the crossing structure, for
use in a fish-bearing stream. When the culvert is installed, natural stream cobble
is seeded into the pipe, to emulate a natural streambed. The pipe must be oversized,
to assure that the in-stream condition passes the required 50-year storm event volume.
Round culverts, squash culverts, or pipe arches suited for this use.
Improved Bridges. A road construction design feature that uses
an enhancement that improves fish passage through the crossing structure, for use
in large and medium size fish-bearing streams. While often more costly, installing
a purpose-built forest road bridge has advantages of keeping the natural streambed,
exceeds the required 50-year storm volume, passing storm-caused woody debris, and
unlikely to fail during major storms.
PVC Culverts. A road construction design feature that has become
inter-changeable with corrugated metal pipe culverts (CMP). PVC culverts are used
for the same applications as the CMP pipe, with reported greater PVC longevity.
Road Geotextile. A road construction design feature that is applied
on road segments, on wet soils or where subsoil strength is insufficient to support
planned forest road use volumes, weights and season of use. Geotextile placed on
a compacted road subgrade, and under the rock surfacing, will add to the road load
bearing strength.
Logging/Transportation Planning. Because the forest road network
is a valuable forestland investment and it provides necessary crucial access for
forest management, the planning of roads for logging purposes is a priority for
forest landowners. Modern forest logging/transportation planning incorporates the
latest in aerial photo imagery, Lidar mapping, GPS locational tools, GIS mapping
and data assets, environmental protection, forest road & log engineering and logging
systems technology. Before any harvest, forest road plans, locations, designs, and
construction assure that each road investment is effective for planned logging systems
and harvest patterns.
Forest Operation Methods—Forestry
Continuous technology improvement in forest management & planning operational methods
has improved safety, productivity, environmental protection, and fiber utilization.
Field Data Recording; Electronic Instruments. An improved forest
management tool, the advent of micro-computers contained in a durable all-weather
unit means forestry data can be readily entered in the field and downloaded later
to the office computer. Since the 1990s, handheld field data recorders, and a host
of other electronic handheld instruments and radios have been purpose-built for
forest applications. These new instruments ease the entry and subsequent analysis
of complex forestry measurements.
Field Data, Mapping & Imagery. An improved forest management technology
tool, the application of GPS (global positioning systems) and a variety of field
data recording for advanced mapping and electronic data transfer to computer databases.
Additionally, mapping and interpretation is enhanced through aerial imagery innovations
in Lidar satellite, infrared, and electronic photography.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). An improved forest management
technology tool, computer technology advancements in database-linked mapping, locational
resources, area-length-boundary-slope-attribute computation, and imagery, utilizing
the latest in electronic field data collection and GPS locational information.
Forest Certification. Three significant forest management certification
programs have been operating in Oregon over the past two decades: the largest is
the Sustainable Forestry Initiative(SFI); the oldest since the 1940s, is the American
Tree Farm System (ATFS); and the smallest number of certified acres is the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC). These forest management certification programs are voluntary
land management standards that certify forests and forest products for their sustainable
growing, harvesting of wood products. Forest certification standards and program
participant forestlands are audited by independent third parties.
Regeneration Harvest Structural Reserves. An improved forest management
technology and regulation, the clearcut regeneration harvest method is nowadays
commonly modified to retain a number standing leave-trees within the clearcut harvest
areas. These standing leave-trees are called “structural reserves,” because they
are reserved/retained from the previous forest, and the leave trees will contribute
structural and biological diversity to the future forest that grows in the now-harvested
area. Also known as ‘wildlife trees,” the Oregon Forest Practices Rules require
clearcuts exceeding 25 acres in size to retain 2 reserve trees per acre standing
after harvest. Often these wildlife trees are located along the unit perimeter or
next to riparian buffer leave trees.
Riparian Management Areas (RMA). An improved forest management
regulation, the Oregon Forest Practices Rules in 1994 were upgraded to increase
the standing tree buffers retained after harvest operations along streams, lakes
and wetlands. The Riparian Management Area (RMA) leave trees contribute, shade,
future wood in the stream, as well as structural and biological diversity to streamside
forests within the harvested areas. Different stand prescriptions for RMA size and
retained tree density are defined by 9 stream categories and several geo-regions.
Rapid Landslide Mitigation. An improved forest management regulation,
the Oregon Forest Practices Rules in 2002 were upgraded to add treatment limits
to certain steep slopes having high landslide hazard potential, which could potentially
initiate a rapidly-moving landslide above homes or heavily used highways. The rule
requires special geological assessment, prescription, and mitigations for proposed
harvest and road operations within the hazard areas. The landslide rule is a unique
aspect added to the Forest Practices Rules to limit risks to public safety.
Smoke Management Burning. An improved forest management program
and regulation, Oregon’s Smoke management program is a nation-leading forest prescribed
burning regulatory system, administered by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry. The program
permits, forecasts, schedules, and monitors forest fuels burning that’s conducted
on private and public forest ownerships—achieving a high degree of smoke dispersal
away from protected airsheds, burning of excess forest fuels, preparing sites for
reforestation, improving forest health, and reducing future wildfire hazards.
Prescribed Burning. An improved forest management technology, prescribed
burning is conducted throughout Oregon’s forests on private and public forest ownerships.
As an important forestry tool, this effective practice increases future forest growth
and reduces future wildfires. Excess forest fuels are reduced, sites are prepared
for reforestation, and forest health is improved.
Reforestation Success. An improved forest management regulation,
the Oregon Forest Practices Rules in the 1990s were upgraded to ensure reforestation
success is achieve when tree planting after a harvest operation. Not only do required
numbers of tree seedlings must be planted within two years after harvest—but now
the required numbers of tree seedlings must be free-to-grow and well-distributed
within six years after harvest. If these thresholds are not achieved, the landowner
is required to complete all necessary planting and vegetation control measures to
accomplish the required reforestation parameters.
Tree Seedling Nursery & Tree Seed. An improved forest management
technology, methods have enhanced the genetic selection and improvement of tree
seed, tree nursery sowing & growing, and seedling lifting and packing by nursery
worker. Improved seed handling and nursery growing practices has increased seedling
survival rates and establishment vigor—which translates into increased forest growth
& yield.
Tree Seedling Handling. An improved forest management technology,
methods have enhanced the care and handling of small tree seedlings from the nursery
all the way to the planting spot in the harvested unit. Improved handling and planting
practices has increased seedling survival rates and establishment vigor—which translates
into increased forest growth & yield.
Reforestation Release. An improved forest management technology
applied after a regeneration harvest, selective control, or “release,” of unwanted
competing vegetation with herbicides is a proven method to increase reforestation
tree seedling survival, establishment, and growth. Herbicide application is done
aerially or by backpack sprayer. Because the effects of the herbicide delays competing
vegetation for just a year or two, other native vegetation quickly re-establishes
after the delay—thereby returning native biodiversity to the young new forest opening.
During the delay period, the tree seedlings are able to get a head-start to growing
above the other vegetation.
Tree Seedling Protection. An improved forest management technology,
the variety of improved methods has expanded to protect small tree seedlings, after
planting and during their establishment. Tree seedlings are vulnerable to numerous
predators and damages, which can be minimized to manage losses by the use of protection
measures, including: game repellant, browse tubing, bud capping, rodent trapping
& baiting, herbicide spraying of competing vegetation, mulch squares, and others.
Forest Fertilization. An improved forest management technology,
the aerial application of forest fertilizer by helicopter in certain stands of immature
trees, which is used to improve tree growth. This application of this technology
increases timber value yield, while also benefitting native vegetation, forage and
wildlife species.
Hydro-Seeding. An improved forest management technology, the hydro-seeding
truck or trailer machine sprays a grass seed & mulch mixture, which is used to speed
re-vegetation of exposed soils on forest roadsides, ditches and landings for erosion
control. This application of this technology reduces soil erosion and road runoff,
speeds establishment of native grasses and vegetation, while better protecting the
environment.
Native Seed Planting. An improved forest management technology,
it is more common to use native grasses to seed forest roadsides, ditches and landings
for erosion control. This seeding speeds re-vegetation of exposed soils on new roads
and recent harvest landings. Establishment of native grasses where possible protects
the environment.
Remote Access. An improved forest management tool, the All-Terrain
Vehicle (ATV) has been improved in recent years, to greatly improve the safety and
ease of remote forest access by workers and their tools—accessing locations where
pickup trucks cannot travel.
Forestry Instruments
Integrated electronic technology has proliferated forestry and the handheld instruments
and radios used in forest operations. Industrial forestry has many purpose-built
applications that aid forest field operations in an all-weather environment.
Handheld Field Data Recorder – For input & electronic transfer
of field measurement data files
Handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) – For locational data,
area, distance, slope and mapping
Laser-Digital Rangefinder Hypsometer – For an all-in-one height,
diameter, angle, and volume measurement
Electronic Dendrometer – For measuring tree basal area, diameter,
height, volume
Electronic Clinometer & Compass – For measuring height, slope,
direction
Pocket Electronic Weather Station – For measuring and recording
critical weather data
Digital Field Camera – For remote independent photography for security
and data collection
Digital Soil Moisture Meter – For measuring soil moisture
Satellite Phones – For communication, in remote areas where no
cellular coverage

Cellular Phones – For wireless communication, where cellular coverage
available
Satellite GPS Messenger – For wireless communicating work check-in,
in remote areas where no cell coverage
Portable Voice Radios; Durable Two-way – For jobsite crew wireless
communication, with waterproof durability.
Industrial Voice Radios; Equipment Two-way – For truck & heavy
equipment wireless communication, with new digital and narrowbanding.
Automatic Construction Level – For road construction
Rotary Laser Level – For road construction
Digital Theodolite – For landline surveying
Wireless Data Transfer Station - For transmitting field data
Outdoor Data Logger Devices – For recording field data from other
stationary instruments