Harvested log damage and value loss associated with two ground-based harvesting systems in central Appalachia

Damage is often seen as an important consideration when conducting partial harvests in hardwood stands, as excessive damage to residual trees will significantly reduce the potential value of the residual stand. Damage to harvested logs, especially hardwood saw and veneer logs can be an even more important concern relative to value loss associated with log degrade. The log damage and value loss were examined by harvesting system, felling function, species, and damage type in central Appalachia. Observations were made of all grade logs during the felling, skidding, decking/sorting, and loading functions of the harvesting operations. Saw logs or veneer logs sustaining damage to the bark or cambium were recorded with additional information obtained for damage location, damage volume, damage type, and possible cause of the damage. Data were analyzed statistically to determine and rank the phases of the harvesting process relative to potential damage and value loss to hardwood logs. Results indicated that, overall, manual harvesting systems cause more damage to harvested logs than mechanized harvesting systems, mostly due to the manual felling function.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wood Science and Technology

Year dc:date.available

2002

Author dc:creator

• Vanderberg, Michael R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jingxin Wang.

• Forestry

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1294

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2297