Analyzing Harvesting Removals of Cut-To-Length Thinning Operations In British Columbia

The aim of this thesis project is to evaluate harvesting systems in British Columbia (Canada) and Finland and determine the potential for cut-to-length systems in Central and Northern British Columbia. As the province of British Columbia's (BC) delegation visited Joensuu, Finland there has been much discussion regarding the potential for newer logging machinery that produces less fuel and creates a more sustainable future. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the current harvesting systems, a combination of both literature and data provided for the study by PONSSE in Canada opened clear suggestions for future actions to be made by the forest sector. The peer-reviewed articles focused on the interior and northern British Columbia and statements made by the government of British Columbia were included to help define current systems such as: Commercial Thinning (CT), partial cutting, clear-cutting, compared to first thinning, secondary thinning, and final cut.

The research and data analysis made showed that current harvesting systems are not positively contributing to the overall wealth of the forest, and despite incentives for managers to cut early there may be greater incentive to practice a Finnish style of thinning that would yield more over the long-term. Additionally, the current view of forests in British Columbia and Finland are on opposite ends of the same log. In fact, Finnish foresters operate with a limited mindset, meaning that they operate with the idea that forests are a limited resource and must be treated with careful decision-making, conversely, British Columbian managers tend to view the forest as an unlimited resource that could afford the heavy rate of cutting. With the current state of forests in British Columbia, there is large incentive to turn the wheel and begin developing a new system, or a modern take on an old one.

The volume at which the province of British Columbia is currently cutting is far larger than Finland and the alarming rate has made way for the suggested use of PONSSE equipment. Not only could implementing Finnish type of harvesting system to a Canadian context add value to the ecological, social and economic value over the long-term, it could help reduce fire risk and give British Columbian foresters back the choice to watch their seedlings grow. The project discusses the data analysis of the PONSSE Scorpion used on harvesting sites and help determine the volume at which cuts have been made and how feasible the equipment is in a Canadian context. The abilities of the Scorpion allow for more value-added wood to be produced, and with the benefit of CTL methods of harvesting there is clear future for the use of this equipment in British Columbian forests.