Profitability of Various Timber Harvesting Systems as Affected by Product Sorting and Timber Stand Parameters

Abstract

Abstract The decision-maker in a logging firm should be keenly aware of what product-sorting intensity to select in order to maximize profitability and how stand parameters will affect profitability within any given logging chance. Computer simulation was used to examine the impact of various timber stand parameters on profitability of five timber harvesting systems operating under three product-sorting intensities. For the five harvesting systems assessed, felling and processing were accomplished manually and/or mechanically, and material was transported to a landing with forwarders or skidders. The study included both roundwood and whole-tree chips product forms. The forwarding system appears to be a profitable timber harvesting system, yielding the highest profitability index values under product sorting. The forwarding and whole-tree chip systems showed the highest profitability under a pulpwood-only harvest. The average number of trees per cord was most highly correlated with net present value for all roundwood harvesting systems. Net present value for the whole-tree chip system was most strongly correlated with the average number of cords of pulpwood material per acre. North. J. Appl. For. 3:167-172, Dec. 1986.