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Abstract
Ameliorating the visual and environmental impact associated with harvesting hardwoods on steep slopes will require the efficient use of skyline yarding along with silvicultural alternatives to clearcutting. In evaluating the effects of these alternatives on harvesting revenue, results of field studies and computer simulations were used to estimate costs and revenue for skyline yarding operations. The methods evaluated include group selection and three treatments each for conventional shelterwood, thinning, diameter limit, and irregular shelterwood to initiate two-age management. Harvesting costs ranged from $15.97 to $42.22/100 ft³, gross revenue from $59 to $131/100 ft³, and net revenue from $58 to $2,809/acre. Environmental impacts observed at field sites and those reported in the literature indicate that relatively low levels of soil disturbance and residual stand damage can be achieved with skyline yarding.
Parent Publication
Citation
Baumgras, John E.; LeDoux, Chris B. 1995. Hardwood silviculture and skyline yarding on steep slopes: economic and environmental impacts. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Fosbroke, Sandra L. C., ed. Proceedings, 10th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 1995 March 5-8; Morgantown, WV.: Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-197. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 463-473
