scholarly journals Family Forest Owners’ Perception of Management and Thinning Operations in Young Dense Forests: A Survey from Sweden

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1151
Author(s):  
Thomas Kronholm ◽  
David Bengtsson ◽  
Dan Bergström
Keyword(s):  
Small Diameter ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Commercial Thinning ◽  
Thinning Operations ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Tree Harvesting

Family forest owners (FFOs) own 48% of Sweden’s productive forest land and are responsible for 59% of the annual gross felling. They are thus important suppliers of raw materials to the forest industry and the energy sector. Environmental goals on the national and international level promote an increased use of renewable resources in order to replace fossil-based fuels, but since the current supply of forest products is already fully utilized by the industry, there is a need to find new types of biomass assortment. One way to increase the biomass supply is to replace traditional pre-commercial thinning operations, where fallen stems are left in the forest to rot, with whole-tree harvesting of small-diameter trees using novel technologies and methods. This will however require willingness of the FFOs to shift their management practices. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to elucidate FFOs’ perceptions of management and thinning operations in young dense forests, identify if there are differences depending on their demographic backgrounds, and clarify which factors could potentially affect their willingness to implement whole-tree harvesting in young dense forests. Data were collected through a survey administered to a random sample of 842 FFOs, with a response rate of 53.4% (n = 450). The results show that FFOs in general are positive towards implementing whole-tree harvesting in young dense stands, and are often also willing to promote the development of suitable stands. Factors such as forest size, geographical location, distance from home to their forest, degree of self-employment and current need for cleaning were found to significantly affect their attitudes. The study highlights that the development of cost efficient harvesting techniques and working methods is important if the industry wants to increase the FFOs’ willingness to engage in whole-tree harvesting in young dense forest stands and thereby increase the supply of biomass.

scholarly journals Analysis of a feller-buncher productivity: a case study of whole-tree harvesting from Marmara region, Turkey

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-110
Author(s):  
Neşe Gülci ◽  
Kıvanç Yüksel ◽  
Sercan Gülci ◽  
Hasan Serin ◽  
Ebru Bilici ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Diameter ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Marmara Region ◽  
Harvesting Systems ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Diameter Classes ◽  
Tree Harvesting

In fully mechanized forest harvesting systems, tree felling activities are mostly performed by using harvesters or feller-bunchers. In some regions of Turkey, where terrain conditions and stand characteristics are suitable, fully mechanized harvesting systems have been recently practiced by some of the logging contractors as private forest industry demands for large amounts of forest products throughout the year. Thus, performances of these newly practiced harvesting systems should be carefully analyzed in order to implement productive and cost-effective mechanized harvesting systems. In this study, productivity of whole-tree harvesting using a feller-buncher was investigated based on stand parameters including tree height, DBH, and volume. The DBH of the felled trees were divided into four classes (i.e. very small: 16-19 cm, small: 20-23 cm, medium: 24-27 cm and large: 28-31 cm) to investigate the effects of various DBH class on the time consumption of cutting stage and productivity of the feller-buncher. To estimate productivity of feller-buncher in harvesting operation, multiple linear and polynomial regressions were also developed and discussed after the interpretation of diagnostic plots. The results indicated that the average productivity of the feller-buncher was 74.96 m3 /h which was closely related with tree height (r = 0.63), DBH (r = 0.67), and volume (r = 0.67). The average moving time was the most time-consuming stage (60%), followed by cutting (29%) and bunching stages (11%). It was found that DBH classes caused statistically significant (p < 0.05) effects on the time spent on cutting stage and productivity of the feller-buncher. The cutting time and productivity increased from very small to large diameter classes, while bunching time increased from very small to small diameter and then medium diameter to large diameter classes. Polynomial regression had a positive impact on the performance of the estimation model of manually field-measured data based on the error parameters.

scholarly journals Forest Farming: Who Wants In?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie E Trozzo ◽  
John F Munsell ◽  
James L Chamberlain ◽  
Michael A Gold ◽  
Kim L Niewolny
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Nontimber Forest Products ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Farming ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Study Results

Abstract Forest farming is an agroforestry practice defined as the intentional cultivation of nontimber forest products (NTFPs) underneath a forest canopy. Forest farming perspectives and preferences among family forest owners are generally understudied, particularly in Appalachia, where many marketable native NTFPs species are found. We surveyed Appalachian family forest owners in fourteen Southwest Virginia counties about their interest in forest farming and likelihood of leasing land for this purpose. We also asked about the owner’s residency and historical connection to the region as well as contemporary land uses, and identified the following types of uses: absentee and vacationers, newcomers, longtime farming residents, and longtime nonfarming residents. We mailed 1,040 surveys and 293 were returned (28.9%). Forty-five percent were interested or extremely interested in forest farming and 36% were likely or extremely likely to lease land. Rates of interest in forest farming and leasing were similar across owner types, suggesting broad appeal among family forest owners. Study Implications Forest farming of nontimber forest products (NTFPs) and leasing forestland for this practice is broadly appealing across diverse family forest owners in Appalachia. Opportunities to scale profitable forest farming are on the rise, potentially improving family forest management and spurring regional economic development. Study results indicate there is a critical mass of family forest owners interested in forest farming who could potentially supply cultivated NTFPs. Forest management professionals and stakeholders would benefit from considering how they can assist family forest owners who are interested in forest farming.

scholarly journals Compounding the disturbance: Family forest owner reactions to invasive forest insects

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marla Markowski-Lindsay ◽  
Mark E. Borsuk ◽  
Brett J. Butler ◽  
Matthew J. Duveneck ◽  
Jonathan Holt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Forest Owner ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Ecosystem Impacts ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Adverse Impacts ◽  
Total Tree

AbstractInvasive forest insect and pathogens (FIP) are having significant, direct, adverse impacts. Interactions between FIPs and forest owners have the potential to create ecosystem impacts that compound direct impacts. We assessed family forest owners’ responses to numerous contingent behavior, FIP-outbreak scenarios in the northeastern U.S. based on FIP outbreak attributes. Sixty-two percent of scenario responses (n=2,752) reflected a harvest intent as a result of FIPs; 84% of respondents (n=688) would consider harvesting in at least one of the four hypothetical scenarios presented to them. Harvest intention increased with greater FIP-related tree mortality and decreased with delayed total tree mortality. Owners with larger holdings, who had previously harvested forest products, and live on their forestland had greater intentions to harvest in response to FIPs. Results suggest that FIPs could transform the regional harvest regime with socio-ecological impacts that are distinct from those caused by FIPs or harvesting alone.

scholarly journals Preferences for Northern Hardwood Silviculture among Family Forest Owners in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander C Helman ◽  
Matthew C Kelly ◽  
Mark D Rouleau ◽  
Yvette L Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Upper Peninsula ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forests ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Single Tree Selection

Abstract Managing northern hardwood forests using high-frequency, low-intensity regimes, such as single-tree selection, favors shade-tolerant species and can reduce tree species diversity. Management decisions among family forest owners (FFO) can collectively affect species and structural diversity within northern hardwood forests at regional scales. We surveyed FFOs in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan to understand likely future use of three silvicultural treatments—single-tree selection, shelterwood, and clearcut. Our results indicate that FFOs were most likely to implement single-tree selection and least likely to implement clearcut within the next 10 years. According to logistic regression, prior use of a treatment and perceived financial benefits significantly increased the odds for likely use for all three treatments. Having received professional forestry assistance increased likely use of single-tree selection but decreased likely use of shelterwood. We discuss these results within the context of species diversity among northern hardwood forests throughout the region.

scholarly journals Imitated Whole Tree Harvesting Show Negligible Effect on Economic Value of Spruce Stands

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 841
Author(s):  
Iveta Desaine ◽  
Annija Kārkliņa ◽  
Roberts Matisons ◽  
Anna Pastare ◽  
Andis Adamovičs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Tree Harvesting

The increased removal of forest-derived biomass with whole-tree harvesting (WTH) has raised concerns about the long-term productivity and sustainability of forest ecosystems. If true, this effect needs to be factored in the assessment of long-term feasibility to implement such a drastic forest management measure. Therefore, the economic performance of five experimental plantations in three different forest types, where in 1971 simulated WTH event occurred, was compared with pure, planted and conventionally managed (CH) Norway spruce stands of similar age and growing conditions. Potential incomes of CH and WTH stands were based on timber prices for period 2014–2020. However, regarding the economics of root and stump biomass utilization, they were not included in the estimates. In any given price level, the difference of internal rate of return between the forest types and selected managements were from 2.5% to 6.2%. Therefore, Norway spruce stands demonstrate good potential of independence regardless of stump removal at the previous rotation.

Family Forest Owners' Perceptions on Chemical Methods for Invasive Species Control

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew B. Howle ◽  
Thomas J. Straka ◽  
Mathew C. Nespeca
Keyword(s):  
Unexpected Result ◽  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Cost Share ◽  
Chinese Privet ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Invasive Species Control ◽  
Multiple Treatments ◽  
Herbicide Use

AbstractFocus group methodology in a field demonstration setting was used to obtain qualitative data on the perceptions of family forest owners relating to treatment efficiency and feasibility of herbicide control methods. Interviews took place on sites where various strategic herbicide treatments were implemented for Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) control using the active ingredients glyphosate and metsulfuron. Forest owners expressed unease about the possibility for post-treatment privet reestablishment due to reseeding or other factors and opinions surfaced calling for selective chemicals or application methods that would spare non-target species. Furthermore, treatment cost effectiveness with regard to timber value, the possible need for expensive multiple treatments, cost-share incentives, and treatment guarantees from herbicide applicators were participant concerns. Environmental concerns surfaced about possible effects of both herbicide use and the invasion of privet on natural systems and an unexpected result was a strong feeling among the forest owners that focus groups are a powerful demonstration tool.

Whole-tree Harvesting Depletes Soil Nutrients

1974 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 530-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin H. White
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Nutrient Pool ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Tree Harvesting

This paper reports the effects of whole-tree harvesting of eight cottonwood stands on the soil nutrient pool. The data indicate possible site degradation by depletion of soil reserves of N, P, and K but not Ca and Mg on a range of alluvial site conditions in Alabama. Foresters must establish the rate of nutrient removal in intensive tree cropping systems for a variety of species and sites and develop prescriptions to minimize the impact.

Methods for Increasing Cooperation Rates for Surveys of Family Forest Owners

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett J. Butler ◽  
Jaketon H. Hewes ◽  
Mary L. Tyrrell ◽  
Sarah M. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Family Forest Owners ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Family Forest
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