Commercial Thinning
Cable Logging
Benefits of Mechanization

Corner Brook Pulp and Paper uses several harvesting systems ranging from manual tree feeling with chain saws, to complete mechanical processing. Approximately 60 per cent of our harvest is mechanized.  Mechanical harvesting equipment has undergone tremendous redesign and development in recent years in answer to environmental concerns.  Features such as wide high flotation tires and tracks minimize ground disturbance and protect advance regeneration.

Mechanization also increases utilization of wood fiber during winter harvesting, reduces the accident frequency and severity in our logging operations, and provides fresh wood to the mill on a year round basis which is critical in meeting the quality demands of today's markets.

CORNER BROOK PULP AND PAPER- MAKES IT'S DEBUT IN COMMERCIAL THINNING
by Wayne Brown, Silviculture & Fibre Quality Superintendent

Commercial thinning is a forest cutting practice that involves the partial harvest of a forest stand (typically 30%) for either sawlogs or pulpwood. While it has been practiced in Scandinavia for some two hundred years, it is relatively new in Canada. Corner Brook Pulp and Paper conducted a trial program in 1998 using the "thinning-from-below" technique whereby the smaller trees are harvested, leaving the larger, and better formed trees to continue to grow. While all the trees are eventually harvested, this method of "staggered" harvesting has several advantages:

• An early harvest is provided, which is particularly relevant in areas facing current timber supply shortages;

• Growth is concentrated on fewer, well-spaced crop trees. This results in large diameter trees which produce higher value sawlogs;

• In certain stands, an actual increase in the amount of wood produced per hectare over time can be realized;

• The amount of clearcutting will be reduced in direct proportion to the volumes harvested in the commercial thinning operation;

• New options for integrating timber and non-timber values (e.g. wildlife habitat, aesthetics) are available.

The Company’s commercial thinning is conducted in both managed stands and unmanaged stands that are at the semi-mature growth stage. The managed stands are typically 30-40 years old and were pre-commercially thinned some 15-20 years ago. In this case, the objective is to improve the value of these stands primarily through the development of larger trees for high value sawlogs.

The operations in unmanaged stands, which are 40-50 years of age (and have not received earlier spacing treatments), are more focused on capturing the inevitable mortality of merchantable trees that occurs through natural competition. The harvest and utilization of trees that are destined to die, ultimately increases the total volume per hectare that can be harvested over time from a given stand.

Corner Brook Pulp and Paper made its debut in commercial thinning in 1998 with a very successful program …. so successful that it will be doubled in 1999!

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THE HILLS ARE ALIVE... WITH THE SOUND OF CABLE LOGGING
by Kerry Hutchings, Planner - Western District, CBPP

Logging on steep slopes has always been a challenge, and during 1998 Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited took on that challenge. Conventional harvesting equipment has traditionally been limited to logging on slopes less than 30%. This limit has been stretched with the introduction of mechanical harvesters. In recent years, mechanical harvesters have been able to log slopes of up to 50%, if a suitable forwarding chance existed. A cable yarding system was needed to access the timber stands located on slopes greater than 50%.

Staff at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Woodlands have had some experience with cable logging. During the 1970's and early 1980's several different types of cable loggers were used on the western portion of our timber limits to harvest fibre for paper production. These systems included an Ecologger and three Smith Timbermasters. The last cable logging activity ended in 1982 when the previous owner, Bowater Newfoundland Limited, pulled out of Newfoundland. These units worked in the Logger's School Road and the Camp 185 Road area.

During the summer of 1998, two cable logging systems began operating on CBPP limits. Contractor Craig Biggin operated a refurbished Scottish built Smith Timbermaster in the Camp 10 Road area. This system consists of a dual speed, double drum, self contained unit on its own two wheel chassis with an 80 hp engine as its power source. Trees are manually felled and trimmed, then chokers are used to hook trees to the main haul line where they are yarded to roadside for further processing. This unit has a range of up to 500 meters. The operator is located within a strong cabin constructed from steel plate and heavy duty mesh for protection. Simply put, this system works much like a clothesline in that the yarding cable is winced up and down the hill, while being attached to a spar tree at one end and the Timbermaster mast at the other end. This unit is utilized in yarding an uphill or downhill haul.

Contractor William Anderson operated the second unit, a system designed and assembled by TLD Gauthier from Quebec, in the North Arm Road area. The Telecarrier TL 3000 system consists of two portable 14.5 meter masts. Each mast is clamped to the boom of an excavator. A 22.2 mm diameter cable is reeled off the hydraulic winches mounted on each excavator, runs over each masthead, joining the two anchoring units situated up to 500 meters apart. The self-propelled, radio-controlled Telecarrier is set to ride on this cable. The choker setter and the base operator share control of the Motorola radio control units. There are three speeds for each travel direction (up and down) of the carrier, plus one for lowering and two for raising the winch. This system can be used for both a down and uphill haul, however, the downhill application is more efficient. Trees are manually felled by loggers situated at two locations along the haul route. Full trees yarded to roadside are then processed for transport either as pulpwood to the mill woodyard, or logs to the appropriate sawmill.

A variety of reasons has heightened interest in cable logging recently. The introduction of cable logging has accessed stands that were previously inaccessible. Many of the available stands are located near existing forest access roads. This is extremely important in light of the ever decreasing volume of available merchantable fibre. There is a greater public awareness of environmental issues. As with any harvesting operation, site disturbance and destruction of advance regeneration by forwarding equipment has to be taken into account. These problems are practically eliminated using a cable logging system. Additionally, there is a growing application of these systems on sensitive sites. Cable logging is not restricted to steep slopes, but can be applied to a combination of sites with deep soils, areas within riparian zones (large streams and rivers) or within community watersheds. Today in the forest industry, there is advancement in the area of integration, adding value to trees so the final product generates more dollars and jobs. Much of the timber located on steep slopes has a high sawlog content. Cable logging systems will ensure that all of these values are considered.

Both cable logging systems were operating in the area north of the Humber River in 1998. This area is accessible via Hughes Brook Road. They will continue to operate in this general area during 1999.

The renewed interest in cable logging systems is a positive event on Corner Brook Pulp and Paper limits. The future may see cable logging systems that are as common place on our Woodlands operations as harvesters, forwarders, and tractor-trailers.

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MECHANIZATION OF LOGGING

• WOOD FRESHNESS

• 12 Month continuous supply of fresh fiber

• Minimize stump to mill delivery time

• Enhance paper quality

• Allows us to compete in very tough markets and meet new quality demands

• SAFETY

• Our accident experience over past 5 years indicates conventional logging is 25 times greater than mechanical logging.

• Enclosed cabs provide protection from elements and safety hazards

• ENVIRONMENT

• Mechanical logging is environmentally friendly

• Soft footprint

• Walks on brush mat of tops and branches

• COMMUNITIES

• Enhanced quality of life

• Higher paying year round jobs

• Long term success of CBPP means success of communities

• Sawmill integration

• Chip receiving facility

• Cable logging

For more information on Harvesting   download section 8 on our FMPOPs page