One thing that is different that some guys might not be aware of is, if you are bushelling in a unit for a yarder the timber is all fell ahead of time. Usually it is weeks or even months before the yarder will move in.
Each cutter will keep his own scale, usually on his hat. You fall a tree, put your mark and the tree number on the butt. Then measure and record the log lengths and diameters. After work you transfer your scale from your hat to a scale sheet and figure up what you cut. Honor system.
Trivia...... If you are a cheat, you could become known as a thumber or someone who "thumbs". When you buck a log and the cuts do not roll apart you have to hold your tape on top and eyeball vertically to get the measurement. If your thumb just so happens to be in the way, of course you have to move your head over to read the tape. Depending on how big your thumb is this can add several inches to your diameter.
Snags that are non merchantable(will not make pulp or saw logs) are paid for according to stump diameter. Some guys will go to great lengths to (needlessly) cut the lowest possible stump to get more scale.
Alaska has a lot of snags that more or less disappear when they are fell. So rotten that they will splatter and the stump can get smushed by other trees. Some guys have perfected this disappearing snag act. They are the "ghost snags." Snags that only existed on the end of their pencil. Reminds me of a song, anybody ever heard the "Snag Fallers Ball" by Craig and Terry?
