Harvesting mechanization in plantations for wood production: working productivity and costs

Harvesting mechanization in plantations for wood production: working productivity and costs. Tree farming has developed rapidly since the early 1990s. Today, tree plantations play an important role in wood supply (including quality wood) and they can partly bridge the gap between national demand and supply which currently leads to substantial wood imports. The opportunity to start new local supply chains or improve the existing ones will have positive effects on the national economy. Against this background, the introduction of mechanized harvesting systems will result in a dramatic reduction of supply cost. This paper reports a full range of harvesting productivity and cost figures for the following plantation types: fast-growing conifers, high-value hardwoods (established following the ex-2080 EU grant scheme), eucalyptus and cottonwood. The purpose of this study is to provide essential information that may lead to the selection of the best technology option, adapted to the specific type of plantation and to the technology level of the harvesting contractor.