logging questions

[BeatCJ]

Also, in the past, short logs were favorable to the logger but not the mill. Logs are scaled with a cylinder in mind and the small end is the diameter used. There is taper in trees so a longer log actually provides more "free" wood to the mill.

Isn't that the truth. The last time I sent logs to the mill, we didn't buck anything to 40s. The contractor sent most of it as 24s, a lot of taper.

Our last sale in SW Oregon ALL went as tonnage, which I found surprising. None of it was export size or quality, though. That was as much a rehab sale though, the last time it was logged my grandfather (may have been in my great-uncle's control as he was dying from colon cancer) the contractor didn't replant. About 55 years ago.

And having the logging pay for rehab, replacing poplar with more desirable species sounds like what the OP is trying accomplish.

 

[trialanderror]

As stated previously, those a logs, not trees. Second growth at that. Each mill has preferred lengths. Also, in the past, short logs were favorable to the logger but not the mill. Logs are scaled with a cylinder in mind and the small end is the diameter used. There is taper in trees so a longer log actually provides more "free" wood to the mill.

Perhaps this photo will give more of an idea. View attachment 1208510

Yup. We had a logger that attempted full length skidding. I hope that man is dead now, otherwise if I see him, he will be dead.

That man ruined nearly every hardwood alongside the ~3 miles of trails he used because everything was pulled 50ft+

 

[slowp]

Yup. We had a logger that attempted full length skidding. I hope that man is dead now, otherwise if I see him, he will be dead.

That man ruined nearly every hardwood alongside the ~3 miles of trails he used because everything was pulled 50ft+

It can be done and is done successfully elsewhere. But it takes people who care. You really shouldn't threaten people online either. Layout of skid trails is extremely important and yes, you will get a bit of damage to leave trees along some portions of the trail. Even when skidding log length some damage will occur. Rub trees can be cut, if damaged too much, after skidding is complete.

 

[trialanderror]

internet is free speech. arrest me. i'm waiting. and what you speak of nothing like so was done. the best part he dragged them full length, then out in the landing cut the tops, then buried them over the edge of the field. Easier to cut and delimb out in the open.

that's the best logger right there, charge for shorties, drag out full uncut, top and de-limb in the wide open field, then bury the garbage at the owners loss, in their own backyard. pay nothing, pull full so less work, bury what the owner should get paid? I guess yeah, i understand @Jess562xp says the land owner (Rarely?) is the red flag, but man, what was done, the slop, the destruction, and then loss, not even speaking profits, on the land owner? tremendous. It'll be hard pressed to harvest a log lot and loose money. Seriously. It'll be difficult.


you should see what was left. Criminal. Unfortunately that harvest at the time the lot wasn't in my ownership and i couldn't convince my dad what was going on, otherwise i'd be in prison unable to post this.

maybe things have changed since the 70's. I'm waiting.

It can be done and is done successfully elsewhere. But it takes people who care. You really shouldn't threaten people online either. Layout of skid trails is extremely important and yes, you will get a bit of damage to leave trees along some portions of the trail. Even when skidding log length some damage will occur. Rub trees can be cut, if damaged too much, after skidding is complete.

 

[bwalker]

internet is free speech. arrest me. i'm waiting. and what you speak of nothing like so was done. the best part he dragged them full length, then out in the landing cut the tops, then buried them over the edge of the field. Easier to cut and delimb out in the open.

that's the best logger right there, charge for shorties, drag out full uncut, top and de-limb in the wide open field, then bury the garbage at the owners loss, in their own backyard. pay nothing, pull full so less work, bury what the owner should get paid? I guess yeah, i understand @Jess562xp says the land owner (Rarely?) is the red flag, but man, what was done, the slop, the destruction, and then loss, not even speaking profits, on the land owner? tremendous. It'll be hard pressed to harvest a log lot and loose money. Seriously. It'll be difficult.


you should see what was left. Criminal. Unfortunately that harvest at the time the lot wasn't in my ownership and i couldn't convince my dad what was going on, otherwise i'd be in prison unable to post this.

maybe things have changed since the 70's. I'm waiting.

The tops from hard woods should be left in the woods. Helps with regeneration and provides habitat for many different kinds of animals.

 

[diver64]

I had 30 acres of maple one time. I noticed that a cutter was next door so asked him since he was there if he was interested in a select cut. I'd already watched his work and in multiple trees on the line he was very careful to only take what was over there to the point of leaving one forked on my side and cutting the other. We walked the property and I was very specific as I wanted the several cherry set off for me to mill to cabinets, spacing for primary, tertiary and secondary canopy, seed trees etc. We were on the same page and it was exactly what I wanted, open canopy for the sugar maple growth without too much clearing. The terms of the cut were clear. I got 30% of his at the mill and he gave me the board foot and price tally.
Both were very satisfied

 

[trialanderror]

The tops from hard woods should be left in the woods. Helps with regeneration and provides habitat for many different kinds of animals.

Wasn't my idea, and I didn't drag them out. He cut softwoods, and ruined lots of hardwood trying to drag everything out uncut.

As I said, it was criminal.

 

[slowp]

Wasn't my idea, and I didn't drag them out. He cut softwoods, and ruined lots of hardwood trying to drag everything out uncut.

As I said, it was criminal.

Do you even talk to loggers? They don't stay in business if they don't do what land owners and people want.

And yes, tops and limbs are left out in the unit if fire danger isn't a big thing. It adds organics and nutrients to the soils. Plus, a humongus slash pile doesn't take up landing space. (Those are fun to burn though).

I get the idea you aren't too well versed in forestry and logging so you either need to leave it alone, or get a forester to look it over and run things. You also will need a written contract.

And I will again remind everybody that logging is a disturbance. It doesn't look pretty right away, although I've seen some very nice work. Maybe you better look for a horse logger if the ground is flat enough. Helicopter is the least intrusive but it costs a fortune.

Yup, there's "free speech" but not always on an internet site, and talking about killing someone isn't the brightest thing to do. That alone makes me think you really need help, and maybe non-forestry help.

 

[trialanderror]

Again, its been logged many times since **** bag tore it up. I understand it looks crappy for a few years. Yes, ive had it logged with contracts (some think ive never had this logged before, its OK, AI will help with better assumptions)

But no one in their right mind, a "logger" pulls bark off a nice white oak 5ft tall 2ft wide, trying to pull everything in one full shot., we counted maybe 40 trees like that. Ruined to this day. Rotten up the center.

I honestly the guy is dead. He was 60 years old and that was back in the 70s. I hope his practices died with him

 

[Hermio]

We had one bad logging experience when a logger ignored our warnings not to log when the ground was too soft. He left ruts so deep I could not get through with a small Kubota tractor. We had to rent a bulldozer the undo his damage. Our other loggers were more careful and smoothed things out and put in waterbars. There was some tree damage along the logging paths, but I think that is unavoidable. They typically took out 16-40 foot sections and got the tops off the trails. We use the tops for firewood, along with fallen trees from rot or blowdown.

 

[trialanderror]

Well, he and his mill are into hardwood and pushy because of so. Wants to grind all my lumber worthy aspen/poplar into worthless pulp at the expense of harvesting my immature hardwood.

Called another mill, who only processes softwood, shot him a chat and discussion, and showed immediate concern why such good softwood would get ground up. More talking, and yeah, 1st logger just wanted some easy hardwood, and a fat left pocket from the softwood out of convenience, and I probably wouldn't see any of that myself.

So had an appointment, did a cruise with the 2nd guy, tripled my money and not one hardwood to get cut into.

Its sketchy out there.