Mechanical Feller-buncher felling: an example study on timber value recovery in South Africa: management paper

Timber breakage during felling reduced the value of timber harvested from a stand. This is especially evident in the larger saw timber stands where large trees are being harvested. A field study was completed with the objective of quantifying and comparing the timber value recovery between conventional chainsaw felling, and mechanical feller-buncher felling, using two pine species - Pinus elliottii and Pinus taeda. Although there was no significant difference in mean volume recovery, felling with the feller-buncher yielded a 2.4% higher volume recovery than chainsaw felling. Mean value recovery, however, for felling with the feller-buncher was significantly higher than chainsaw felling. Study results showed that feller-buncher felling had a 6.8% lower tree value recovery than chainsaw felling. The difference is attributed to a decrease in breakage and improved sawlog recovery when felling with the feller-buncher. Southern African Forestry Journal No.192 2001: 59-64