An examination of harvesting systems. II. Ash-type forests – an exploratory case study.  J.E. Opie and I.S. Thompson.  May 1975.  22 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

This report examines the cost of protecting certain non-wood values (soil characteristics, water quality, landscape and wildlife) in a forest of ash-type regrowth managed primarily for sawlogs. Four strategies representing progressively increased levels of care in roading, harvesting and regeneration are defined. For each “level of care” strategy, the normative cost, expressed as $/m³ delivered to sawmill, is estimated for combinations of logging method (six) by slope class (three) by volume per unit area (continuum).

Using Strategy 2 (common practice) and logging by crawler tractors of D6 size (almost always the cheapest method) as the base, the percentage increase in cost occasioned by the implementation of Strategy 4 (the highest “level of care” considered) is estimated for various logging methods in mean forest conditions. These cost increases are expressed in relation to the forest owner, the logging contractor, and the consumer of sawn timber. The suitability of various logging methods is also discussed.

It is concluded that the percentage increase in cost that would result from the general adoption of Strategy 4 could be high, particularly for the forest owner. The effect on the price paid by the consumer of sawn timber would be relatively small (up to 12% increase) but this could perhaps greatly reduce demand. Suggestions are made as to how some of the increased costs may be absorbed.

With respect to logging methods, it is concluded that crawler tractors, rubber-tyred skidders or high lead may be satisfactory in many cases for harvesting ash-type forests at high “level of care” strategies. The costlier alternatives of skyline or balloon logging present several difficulties, such as in relation to regeneration.

Also published:

Opie, J.E. and Thompson, I.S. (1978)  Costs associated with constraints on harvesting eucalypt forests.  Aust. For. 41 (4): 232-47.