Benefits of zone thinning in forests

ByForest Machine Magazine

6th June 2024
zone thinning

Zone thinning increases the productivity of timber harvesting, improves harvesting quality and increases forest biodiversity

The zone thinning method proved to increase the productivity of harvesting compared to traditional even thinning. Based on harvesting research data collected in the field, the study compared the effects of zone thinning and even thinning on felling and forest transport time, harvest time and tree status.

Zone thinning increased felling productivity by about 8% in first thinning. In the method, the thinning intensity is high close to the driving track, which reduces the average search and transfer distance of felled trunks in harvester work. This directly reduces the time wasted during the work phases. Working close to the track also enables more precise control of the head.

The zone thinning method also had a positive effect on forest transport, increasing its productivity by about 3%. Thanks to the lower density of trees along the track, the forwarder operator has more working space when loading timber, which makes handling loads faster and easier. The results of the study also indicated that zone thinning has a reducing effect on harvesting damage.

The central idea of the zone thinning method is that the thinning intensity decreases when moving from the driving track towards the area between the tracks, i.e. when moving towards the area between the tracks. The driving track is heavily thinned and even an untreated zone is left in the area between the driving tracks. This creates density variation in the forest and thus a more diverse environment for birds, for example, providing sheltered nesting places in denser forests and more spacious flight space in fewer driving areas. In addition, zonal thinning can promote the natural seedling of the driving track and thus serve as a transition phase to continuous forest cultivation.

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Zone thinning as photographed with a drone.

Forest Machine Magazine is written and edited by a forest professional with over 40 years hands on experience. We are dedicated to keeping you informed with all the latest news, views and reviews from our industry.

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