FNR-101
forestry & natural resources
WOODLAND MANAGEMENT 
Timber Harvesting and Logging Practices For Private Woodlands
by P.E. Pope, B. C. Fischer, and D. L. Cassens, Assistant Professors of Forestry
Timber harvesting provides an estimated 50 million dollars income to Indiana woodland owners each year. Much of this income is attributed to harvests on small, private, nonindustrial woodlands. Intervals between harvests are often long, and ownership changes may occur. Consequently, many woodland owners are not familiar with timber harvesting (harvesting includes the cutting and removal of trees from the woods) or the appearance of the residual forest following harvesting. This publication will discuss woodland ownership objectives, the steps involved in timber removal, alternatives for harvesting residue, and timber harvesting considerations.
Woodland Ownership Objectives
Woodland ownership objectives are many and varied. In most situations, these objectives are at least compatible with or necessitate some timber harvesting. Examples of woodland management objectives compatible with timber harvesting include: maximizing dollar returns from the forest, placing the stand in good condition for future growth, protecting immature timber while removing mature trees, protecting forested watersheds, removing dead and dying trees, extending wildlife habitat, enhancing forest recreation, and removing trees in a prescribed manner for a homesite. A need for income may not be the primary objective for timber harvesting.
Whatever the reasons for timber harvesting, however, it is important that the woodland owner, who sells and subsequently has timber harvested from his woodland, understand the timber harvesting process and the resulting condition of the residual forest.
Timber Removal
The Logger
Most timber in Indiana is cut by a professional logger. At present very little timber is removed by
farmers or others working on a part-time basis. Loggers are usually independent businessmen who purchase timber, harvest it, and sell the logs to sawmills or veneer mills. Loggers may also contract with mills to cut and haul timber which the mills have purchased. In some cases, sawmills and veneer mills maintain their own logging crews.
The typical logging crew will consist of at least one tree feller and one skidder operator. The feller’s responsibility is to cut trees and prepare them for removal (Figure 1). Each tree is felled and the limbs and top cut from the merchantable bole. In most cases, the entire merchantable portion of the tree is skidded in tree lengths to the landing, a log concentration area, and then is bucked into logs. Sometimes individual logs are cut from the tree in the woods.
Figure 1. The feller’s responsibility is to cut trees and prepare them for removal.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY • COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47907