Residual trees injury assessment after selective cutting in broadleaf forest in Shafaroud

In the Shafaroud forest, logging operation is generally performed by using selective cutting methods. Chainsaw and cable skidder are two main forest machines for harvesting of this forest. However, forest harvesting operations result in serious residual stand damage during felling, winching and skidding operations in this forest. Residual stand damage resulting from selective cutting was assessed on Avardim district in the Shafaroud forest in the north of Iran. Logging operation was performed by chainsaw and cable skidder. To gain benefit of directional felling, Landing and skid trail was planned prior to felling. Study area was cruised using ۱۴ random sampling plots centered on transect lines uniformly distributed throughout the harvested area. Study results indicate majority of the injuries that occurred belong to the skidding and winching stage and the bole portion of tree (> ۱m). Beech trees were injured more than trees of other species, and the mean area of injury was ۲۹۰.۳ cm۲. Investigation on felling error showed that ۴۰% of felled trees were at an angle of about ۴۵-۷۰ degrees with skidding direction, therefore felling crew could not lead the felled trees toward the skid trails. Increase felling error made the remaining trees more susceptible to injuries. This research indicated that preliminary planning of skid trail prior to felling is not a sufficient measure to minimize residual stand damage but proper training of crew is essential to insure a good performance of the operation. Felling crew should be not only trained and experienced workers but also aware of the value of residual crop trees, and the importance of minimizing stand damage if uneven-aged stand management practices are to be successful.   REFERENCES Alahie, H. (۱۹۹۷) The study of skidding in the Hyrcanian Forest of Iran. Tehran University, Iran. FRWO. (۲۰۰۶) Instructions for planning of landing and skid trail. Forest Harvesting Office, ۳۵ p. Hosseini, M. (۱۹۹۵). Harvesting operations in the northern forest of Iran. Forest and Range Mag., ۲۵, ۲۸-۳۲. Hosseini, S.M., Majnonian, B., Nieuwenhuis, M. (۲۰۰۰) Damage to natural regeneration in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran, a comparison of two typical timber extraction operations. J. For. Eng. ۱۱, ۶۳-۷۲. Mirarab, J. (۲۰۰۷) Study the transect sampling method in estimating the standing trees damages caused by skidders. (Case study: Kheyroud Forest). MSc. Dissertation, Tehran University, Tehran, ۹۲ p. (In Persian).  Naghdi, R. ۲۰۰۶. Investigation and comparison of two harvesting systems: tree length and cut-to-length method in order to optimize road network planning in Neka, Iran. PhD Dissertation, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, ۱۷۷ p. (In Persian). Naghdi, R. Bagheri, I. Taheri, K. Akef, M. (۲۰۰۹) Residual stand damage during cut to length harvesting method in Shafaroud forest of Guilan province. Iranian J of Env Sci., ۶۰, ۹۳۱-۹۴۷. Nikooy, M. (۲۰۰۷). Production optimization and reduction impact on forest by preparing harvest planning in Nav, Iran. PhD Dissertation, Tehran University, ۱۶۵ p. Shigo, A.L. (۱۹۸۴) How to assess the defect status of a stand. Northern. J. Appl. For. ۱۰, ۴۱-۴۹. Sagheb-Talebi, Kh., Sajedi, T. and Yazdian, F. (۲۰۰۳) Forests of Iran. Research Institute of Forests and Rangeland. Technical Publication No. ۳۳۹, ۲۸ p. Solgi, A. Najafi, A. (۲۰۰۷) Investigating of residual tree damage during ground-based skidding. Pakistan. J. Biol. Sci., ۱۰, ۱۷۵۵-۱۷۵۸. Vasiliauskas, R. (۲۰۰۱) Damage to trees due to forestry operations and its pathological significance in temperate forest: a literature review. Forestry, ۷۴, ۳۱۹–۳۳۶. Wästerlund, I. (۱۹۹۲) Extent and causes of site damage to forestry traffic. Scandinavian J. For. Res. ۷, ۱۳۵-۱۴۲. Yilmaz, M., Akay A. (۲۰۰۸) Stand damage of a selection cutting system in an uneven aged mixed forest of Cimendagi Kahramanmaras, Turk. Int. J. of Natur. and Eng. Sci., ۲, ۷۷- ۸۲.

کلیدواژه ها:

Residual trees ، Injury ، Felling ، Skidding ، Winching