Author Description

Laminated root rot, caused by the fungus Phellinus weirii, is the most serious root disease affecting coastal Douglas fir in British Columbia. Post-harvest stump and root extraction is the most effective method of quickly reducing the residual fungal inoculum on affected sites. This report presents results of trials conducted to evaluate an alternative strategy, push-over logging or push-falling, in which whole trees are pushed over by a suitably equipped excavator and then skidded to a landing where root masses are cut off and stems are bucked into logs. Researchers documented all seven activities comprising the push-falling operation using video and measured the productivity of push-falling by detailed timing and shift-level monitoring. The report includes discussion of push-falling costs, comparison with conventional harvesting, safety aspects, and operating constraints.