Forest harvest residue recovery in semi-mechanized hardwood selection operations

Abstract

Semi-mechanized single-tree selection operations make important contributions to wood supply in parts of the northern hardwood forest region of northeastern North America. However, harvest residue recovery has not yet been integrated within this silvicultural system, due to low recovery rates, low mechanization, and small harvest blocks. As bioenergy policy incentives and markets continue to strengthen, there is a need to determine whether these partial harvest systems can contribute to local and regional energy wood supply. We assessed residue recovery and procurement costs during semi-mechanized single-tree selection operations in central Ontario, Canada. Logging contractors recovered 1.7–3.5 oven dry tonnes (ODt) of harvest residue per hectare by reducing the diameter at which trees were delimbed and topped. The time spent delimbing and topping increased by 10.8% but no extra time or machinery was required to recover the residue to roadside landings. Supply chain scenarios that included terminal chipping indicate that the harvest residue could be brought to market at a delivered cost <USD $75 per ODt for transport distances up to 150 km.