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Strips, Clearcuts, And Deferment Cuts: Harvest Costs And Site Impacts For Alternative Prescriptions In Upland Hardwoods

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Clearcutting upland hardwood stands is a common management prescription in the South which maximizes harvest efficiency. However, with increasing concerns about esthetics and ecological impacts, a better understanding of alternative treatments is needed. This study compared conventional block clearcutting, strip clearcutting, and deferment cutting in replicated treatments in northern Alabama. Treatment did not have a significant effect on felling productivity or costs, but did affect skidding productivity. The primary factor affecting harvesting productivity was average tree size of removals. Clearcutting caused significantly greater increases in soil bulk density than deferment or strip cutting. However, clearcutsoil disturbance was the same as for deferment cutting.

Citation

Rummer, Robert B.; Carter, Emily; Stokes, Bryce; Klepac, John. 1997. Strips, Clearcuts, And Deferment Cuts: Harvest Costs And Site Impacts For Alternative Prescriptions In Upland Hardwoods. Hardwood Symposium, May 7-10, 1997
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/527