last updated 9/14/2025 – 12:05PM
Day 1: Tuesday, September 16th
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Plenary Session I (Platinum Grand Ballroom DE)
- 8:30 – 8:45 Welcome – Ben Spong, Conference Chair
- 8:45 – 9:15 WVU Forestry and Operations – Amy Welsh, WVU School of Natural Resources Director
- 9:15 – 9:45 Appalachian Forests and Industry – Joseph McNeel, WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center Director
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM – Networking & Refreshment Break
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Plenary Session II
- 10:30 – 11:15 Rethinking Forestry Roads: Designing for Sustainability, Resilience, and Evolving Operational Needs – Matthew Dickie (Softree Technical Systems)
- 11:15 – 11:30 IUFRO – René Zamora-Cristales (Oregon State University)
- 11:30 – 12:00 Thirty-five Years of Monitoring Montana Forestry Best Management Practices: What Have We Learned? – Jordan Buxton, Elizabeth Dodson, Marc Vessar
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Concurrent Sessions
| Time | Session 1A: Forest Operations in a Changing World (SALON FGH) |
Session 1B: Student Presentations – Soil, Site Impacts, and Harvesting I (WHARF AB) |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 – 1:30 |
René Zamora-Cristales |
Bibek Bhandari |
| 1:30 – 2:00 |
Long term development of logging costs in Sweden Lars Eliasson |
Long-term Site Productivity Impacts of Bladed Skid Trails in Mountainous Appalachian Terrain Ryan Chewning |
| 2:00 – 2:30 |
From Field Data to Sustainable Decision-Making: Digital Transformation in Forest Operations Joseph Moffet |
Haomin Huang |
| 2:30 – 3:00 |
A long-term assessment of the operational characteristics of Virginia Logging Businesses (2009-2024) Temitope E. Ogana |
Soil Impacts from Winch-Assist Timber Harvesting in Central Appalachia Dylan Lang |
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Networking & Refreshment Break
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Concurrent Sessions
| Time | Session 2A: Environmental Impacts & Forest Operations | Session 2B: Student Presentations – Soil, Site Impacts, and Harvesting II |
|---|---|---|
| 3:30 – 4:00 |
Emmaline Clark |
Harvesting productivity during burned timber salvage operations Jessica Solofonirina Ramaroson |
| 4:00 – 4:30 |
Quantifying the influence of varying trail systems and harvesting intensities on soil quality Ben-amar amal |
Timothy Miller |
Day 2: Wednesday, September 17th
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Concurrent Sessions
| Time | Session 3A: Next-Gen Forest Management & Technology (SALON DE) |
Session 3B: Student Presentations – Economics, Business, and Workforce I (WHARF AB) |
Session 3C: Biofuel & Energy (SALON FGH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:00 |
Giving eyes to a mechanical tree planting machine Tobias Semberg |
The Operational and Value Implications of Conservation Easements in Georgia: A Case Study Toby Welton |
Biofuel options for power in the eastern US Pat Donnelly |
| 9:00 – 9:30 |
Robotic Sensing for Automated Volume Estimation of Long Logs in Forestry Operations Maxime Vaidis |
Onyinye P. Choko |
Portable Sawmills: Productivity and Sawdust Inhalation Patrick Hiesl |
| 9:30 – 10:00 |
Autonomous log loading using a stereoscopic camera Tobias Semberg |
Log Truck Weight Regulations and Operational Impacts: Perspectives from Alabama’s Logging Industry Mandira Pokharel |
Timber-Safe Network (TSN) Reduction of Central Appalachian Logging Hazards Mark Fullen |
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Networking & Refreshment Break
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Concurrent Sessions
| Time | Session 4A: Challenging Environments I | Session 4B: Student Presentations – Economics, Business, and Workforce II | Session 4C: Carbon & Environmental Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30 – 11:00 |
Evaluating GIS-based predictors of soil bearing capacity for forestry operations Ida Johansson |
What does it cost to own and operate a log truck in the US South? Jack Derochers |
Temporal Changes in Infiltration Due to Forest Fire and Logging in Uljin-gun, Republic of Korea Wonho Kim |
| 11:00 – 11:30 |
Synthetic Rope: Adoption; Applications; and New Developments Dr. John Garland |
Vida Owusu |
Assessing carbon emissions from harvesting and transportation in Alabama’s sawmills and paper mills Rapeepan Kantavichai |
| 11:30 – 12:00 |
Evaluating fuel consumption and productivity of hybrid harvesters operating in eastern Canada Eric R. Labelle |
Route Optimization for Log Truck Transportation: Analyzing Safety and Transportation Efficiency Puspa Raj Joshi |
No presentation scheduled |
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch and Business Meeting
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Concurrent Sessions
| Time | Session 5A: Mitigating Wildfire Risk & Restoration | Session 5B: Student Presentations – Technology and Modeling | Session 5C: Soil & Environmental Impact Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 – 1:30 |
Rafael O. Brown |
Johanna Gonzalez |
Evaluating Soil Erosion at Harvest Sites Using UAV Imagery, Deep Learning, and GIS Manisha Parajulii |
| 1:30 – 2:00 |
Tucker Herbert |
Jinghan Zhao |
Assessing Impacts of PM2.5 Emission Changes in Forest Industries of Alabama, USA Manisha Subedi |
| 2:00 – 2:30 |
Forest Restoration Strategy to Reduce Sediment Yield from Burned Areas in Republic of Korea Jun Park |
Optimization of Harvest Unit Layout for Tethered Thinning Operations Murat Ozmen |
Evaluating the Quality of Machine Operator Tree Selection Decisions When Thinning Pine Plantations Josh Mullins |
| 2:30 – 3:00 |
Forest Health and Fire Prevention by Mulching Hannah Mayo |
Application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in forestry Prakash Ojha |
No presentation scheduled |
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Networking & Refreshment Break
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Concurrent Sessions
| Time | Session 6A: Advances in Forest Operations & Logistics | Session 6B: Environmental & Restoration Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 3:30 – 4:00 |
Updating the Machine Rate Costing Methodology for Selected Forest Harvesting Machines Chad Bolding |
Debsree Mandal |
| 4:00 – 4:30 |
Joe Conrad |
Real-Time Estimation of Logging Equipment Carbon Emission in the Southeastern United States Abubakar Tahiru |
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM – Cooper Rock State Forest and Awards Banquet @ WVU Natural Resource Center at the WVU Research Forest – Bus Transport Departs Marriott at 5:30PM
Day 3: Thursday, September 18th – Field Tour
- 8:00 AM – Departure from WaterFront Place Marriott, Morgantown, WV
- 8:45 AM – 10:45 AM – Wilson Forest Products (Cooperage & Stave Mill), Jefferson, PA
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Catered lunch at WV Botanic Garden
- 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM – Nicholson Logging Harvesting Site, Morgantown, WV
- 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM – Prime 6, Fairmont, WV
- 5:00 PM – Return to WaterFront Place Marriott, Morgantown, WV
Conference Abstracts
Rethinking Forestry Roads: Designing for Sustainability, Resilience, and Evolving Operational Needs
Forestry roads are essential infrastructure, enabling access for harvesting, transportation, and land management; however, they are also among the most environmentally disruptive and financially demanding components of forestry operations. Poor road planning, design, construction and maintenance practices can dramatically increase a road’s environmental impact and reduce operational efficiency. Even well-built legacy roads, that were planned and constructed using the best available information, may no longer be suitable for today’s equipment, operational demands, or changing climate conditions. Whether planning new roads, planning upgrades to existing roads, or repairing roads that have already failed there is considerable value in making more informed decisions there is also a lot at risk if it is done poorly. With the benefit of hindsight, we’ll discuss events such as the 2021 atmospheric river in British Columbia that caused widespread disruption to transportation networks and forestry supply chains, with damage linked in part to legacy forestry road systems. We will also highlight how current and emerging technologies: such as terrain analysis, hydrology modeling, AI-assisted alignment design, and earthwork optimization, can help prevent similar issues. Software tools can support more resilient, environmentally sound infrastructure while also offering practical, cost-effective solutions aligned with modern forestry needs.
Thirty-five Years of Monitoring Montana Forestry Best Management Practices: What Have We Learned?
Montana takes a hybrid approach to regulating forest practices: the Control of Timber Slash and Debris Law (Slash Law) regulates the abatement of slash hazard; the Streamside Management Zone Law regulates activities immediately adjacent to streams, lakes, and other bodies of water; and a set of voluntary Forestry Best Management Practices. To ensure forest operations are meeting the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act, to maintain the flexibility of voluntary regulations, and in the spirit of continual improvement, every two years the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation facilitates field reviews to assess the application and effectiveness of Forestry Best Management Practices. Field review teams are interdisciplinary and include representation from the full range of organizations who manage forested land in Montana. This presentation will look back at 17 cycles of field reviews to understand where practices have improved, where improvement is still needed, and other lessons learned.
Dynamic programming under complex forests: Optimizing Innovative business models and operations to restore secondary forests
Secondary and degraded forest are distributed in many regions in the Americas and globally. These forests are the result of the abandonment of agriculture due to urbanization or migration as well as land sparing actions, landscape fires, or changes in the opportunity costs of the land. Once the succession process starts, their long-term permanence and sustainability depend not only in their ecological value but the financial benefits they can provide to local communities and landholders. Secondary forests are the product of a natural succession process affected by natural forest remnants, the existence of individual trees and previous land uses. To ensure their long-term sustainability is important to develop innovative business models with multiple objectives that have the potential to improve the livelihoods of rural populations. There is an increasing need to implement silvicultural methods and operations to restore, manage and sustainably use the natural resoruces, while protecting nature and increasing forest connectivity and reducing fragmentation. Several silvicultural methods exist to manage different species according to baseline conditions, however the complexity in management of tropical and subtropical forest, often represent a challenge for forest managers when selecting the most cost-effective strategies and operations to implement. To overcome this challenge, we propose an optimization model based on dynamic programming to develop sustainable management strategies and sequential operations that increase the profitability while maintaining different levels of cash flow. The business models to be presented could serve to develop better strategies to productively restore degraded landscapes. The results to be shared, use real-world information from secondary and degraded forests in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil and Costa Rica and present different scenarios that could contribute to achieve global restoration targets under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration while promoting sustainable business models around the use of secondary forests.
Long term development of logging costs in Sweden.
During the last 30 years harvesting costs have increased less than inflation and have, thus, in real terms been decreasing in Sweden. This can be attributed to declining real costs in final felling operations while the real cost in thinning operations has been fairly constant. Contributing to the decreasing final felling costs is the fact that both average stem volumes and standing volume per ha in the forest stands harvested have on average increased during the period, on the negative side is a decrease in the size of the average cut. Furthermore, real harvesting costs decreased in the period 1996 to 2005 given unchanged stand conditions, which can be attributed to increased mechanization and productivity in harvesting operations. However, due to small increases in wood prices and increasing silviculture and road costs landowner net revenues from forestry have not increased during the 30-year period. During the period Skogforsks forestry index (wood revenues/forest management costs) has had a negative trend and declined from 2.5 to 1.7. Currently both costs and wood prices (especially in the south) are increasing and, thus, the effect on net revenues are diverging depending on regions (south, middle or north Sweden). Although harvester costs per cubic meter are not decreasing, better bucking systems and GIS-decision support systems for the forwarding work help to improve value recovery and keep logging costs down. Future challenges to keep logging costs down include an increasing share of continuous cover forestry, further decreases in cut size from the current average of 3 ha, and low contractor profitability.
From Field Data to Sustainable Decision-Making: Digital Transformation in Forest Operations
The forestry sector is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, driven by the demand for accurate, timely, and actionable data. Across public, private, and industrial operations, the challenge remains the same: bridging the gap between field data collection and the decision-making processes that guide sustainable forest management. This presentation highlights how G.A. Logix has developed modular digital solutions that streamline the entire chain-from field capture to operational and strategic decisions. Our applications-Mobile Logix, SyncLogix, and ForestLogix-enable operators, contractors, and managers to collect geospatial and operational data directly in the field, synchronize it across teams and machines, and analyze it in formats compatible with widely used GIS platforms such as Esri and QGIS. An AI layer allows natural-language queries and automatic creation of tailored reports (harvest progress, compliance summaries, cost dashboards), with human-in-the-loop validation. In addition, textual information and reports can be exported in any format required by organizations, ensuring flexibility for reporting, integration, and long-term records. By ensuring accuracy and eliminating delays, these tools empower organizations to optimize resources, improve transparency, and meet evolving sustainability requirements. Examples from active operations demonstrate how digital workflows reduce errors, accelerate planning, and enhance collaboration between field crews and management. The presentation also explores the role of real-time communication and rugged field-ready hardware in enabling continuous operations under challenging conditions. By bridging the gap between the forest and the office, G.A. Logix contributes to a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable future for forest operations worldwide. Attendees will gain insights into the practical benefits of digital transformation and how modular solutions can support the evolution of forestry practices in diverse contexts.
Keywords: Forest operations, Digital transformation, Field data capture, Al-assisted reporting, Decision support systems
A long-term assessment of the operational characteristics of Virginia Logging Businesses (2009-2024).
The forest industry provides great economic benefits as the state’s third-largest industry, with a $21 billion impact annually (VDOF, 2024). Logging businesses are key players in this industry, purchasing stumpage from landowners and ensuring a steady wood supply to forest product mills. Numerous studies have examined logging businesses across the Southeastern U.S., including Virginia. However, these studies often do not specifically address trends in the operational characteristics of Virginia’s logging industry. The dynamic nature of the logging industry necessitates updated information about the long-term trends in the State’s logging sector. Analyzing changes among logging businesses over time serves as a reference point to understand trends within the state’s logging community and forestry sector. This helps identify strategies that logging businesses could adopt in the future. The primary goal of this study was to track changes that have occurred in the logging industry over the past fifteen years. The study hypothesizes that there is no significant difference in the production and operational characteristics over the past years. Data from four mail surveys of logging business owners conducted at five-year intervals in 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024 were used for the study. The surveys were carried out using the Tailored Design Method which consists of four contacts with respondents to maximize response rates. Results provide insight into long-term trends in the logging industry across the three physiographic regions of Virginia with estimates of business productivity, workforce, and capital investment. The challenges logging businesses have faced in the past fifteen years were also highlighted. The findings from this study would help to understand the logging industry operations in the southern region of the U.S.
Impact of different trail systems on residual tree damage during mechanized harvesting in northern mixed hardwoods
The damage caused to residual trees during mechanized partial harvesting is a significant concern from a sustainability perspective. While some level of residual tree damage is to be expected during ground-based mechanized harvest operations, an excessive amount of damage will result in hampering ecological and economic values. Although various factors influencing these damages have been studied, the impact of different machine operating trail systems during mechanized cut-to-length harvest remains largely unexplored. Understanding these relationships is important for improving harvest practices to minimize damage. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of different trail systems on residual tree damage in northern mixed hardwood forests in southern Quebec, Canada. Three different trail systems; conventional trails (CT) at 20 m spacing, ghost trails (GT), and diagonal entries (DE), both at 30 m spacing-were combined with two different harvest intensities (27% and 40% by volume), resulting in six different treatments. A harvester-forwarder system was used for the experiment. After harvesting, tree-level data was collected for each damaged tree, and independent variables such as species, diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and distance of the tree from center of the trail were measured. The dependent variables measured included the length and width of the damage, severity, location, and depth of damage. Preliminary results indicate that highest proportion of tree damage occurred in DE, followed by GT and CT in their respective intensities. In terms of severity, DE caused the most severe damage, followed by CT and GT. While results suggest CT causes fewer damages and GT causes less severe damages to residual trees, the project is part of a holistic assessment considering soil health, productivity, and operational factors. A holistic interpretation of insights from this study, when considered along with soil damage and productivity, should help forest managers in improving the sustainability of their operations.
Long-term Site Productivity Impacts of Bladed Skid Trails in Mountainous Appalachian Terrain
Bladed skid trails are a common feature when timber harvesting in mountainous Appalachian terrain, but their impacts on long-term site productivity is little understood. The region’s steep slopes, variable soils, and challenging recovery conditions make it particularly susceptible to lasting soil disturbance, which may affect forest regeneration and timber yield. This study quantifies the long-term effects of bladed skid trails on forest productivity by comparing tree volume growth across four distinct site conditions: undisturbed areas, margins above and below bladed skid trails, and within the bladed skid trails themselves. This information is then coupled with an analysis of the percentage area bladed skid trails occupy to determine site wide productivity differences. The hypothesis is that there will be significant loss of productivity in the skid trail due to the degradation of the soil and competitional disadvantage, and a partially compensating increase in productivity in the margins due to decreased competition for resources when comparing these sections to the off-trail section. Field data collection across West Virginia looking at more than 25 distinct sites will be used to develop this framework and quantify the productivity differences. These results can be used to more accurately evaluate the impacts of bladed skid trails ultimately providing a better understanding of the hidden costs associated with this primary transportation method in terms of value and volume losses which may produce incentives for the use of alternative systems or changes to regional harvest planning.
Evaluating Machine Travel Patterns and Soil Impacts from Thinning and Regeneration Harvests in Loblolly Pine Plantations of the Southeastern US
Understanding the impact of machine traffic on soil physical properties is crucial for sustainable forest management. Repeated travel by forest harvesting equipment can lead to soil compaction, reducing tree growth and forest productivity, while also increasing erosion risks and degrading soil health. Building upon our initial pilot study across 12 sites in Georgia, this expanded research scales up to 96 sites across the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of the southeastern U.S. The objectives for this research are to: 1) characterize equipment travel patterns across diverse soil types and moisture conditions in first thinnings and regeneration harvests, and 2) link changes in soil properties to traffic intensity and disturbance levels to inform sustainable harvesting strategies. We employed GPS tracking devices to document both felling and skidding machine travel patterns during harvesting. Soil strength profiles, bulk density samples, and visual disturbance classifications were used to assess soil disturbance severity and enable correlation with machine traffic data and site characteristics. Our pilot study revealed that Coastal Plain regeneration harvests experiencing high traffic intensities are susceptible to soil compaction at depths up to 40-50 cm. This finding underscores the need for more detailed region-specific harvest and machine traffic planning. Expanding this analysis across a broader range of harvesting sites and soil conditions will further our understanding of spatial variability in traffic impacts and support the development of region-wide best management practices. Results will enable data-driven decision-making to reduce site degradation, enhance long-term soil productivity, and improve operational efficiency. Ultimately, this study aims to promote both economic productivity and environmental stewardship, contributing to more resilient and sustainable forestry practices in the southeastern U.S.
Soil Impacts from Winch-Assist Timber Harvesting in Central Appalachia
Conventional timber harvesting in central Appalachia typically involves ground-based felling and skidding, often utilizing bladed skid trails constructed across slopes. This method can lead to significant investment costs and soil disturbance. To mitigate these issues, some resource managers prescribed unique logging systems like helicopter-based systems that have high costs, poor availability of local contractors, and large carbon footprints. With growing interest in minimizing soil disturbance and enabling harvesting on steep slopes, winch-assist systems offer a potential solution that may reduce soil impacts. Existing research on winch-assist systems has predominantly focused on softwood forests in the US Northwest and New Zealand. Given Appalachia’s distinct topography, soil types, and forest vegetation, regional research is crucial to supplement existing knowledge and enable informed investment and operational decisions by managers and logging contractors. Soil disturbance on central Appalachian winch-assisted logging sites was assessed using established methodologies from published studies, facilitating direct comparison with existing literature from other regions. Units were surveyed for soil disturbance and classified by harvest type as either conventional or winch-assist. These data were then analyzed spatially and quantitatively. Additional analysis using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation estimates the erodibility of the soil on these study sites. Soil impacts will be compared to conventionally harvested areas with similar site characteristics and previous published studies. The findings from this project are expected to have broad applicability to mountainous regions throughout the Eastern United States, particularly in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina. Preliminary results indicate that winch-assist logging on similar sites does not cause greater soil disturbance than conventional methods. Furthermore, it potentially reduces the necessity for constructed skid roads, thereby decreasing overall disturbance associated with felling and skidding operations.
Quantifying Streamside Management Zone Breakthroughs and Harvest-Related Disturbances on Tethered Versus Conventional Logging Sites in the Mountains of West Virginia
Typical timber harvesting operations in the Central Appalachians region in the eastern U.S. consists of ground-based operations using bladed skid trails. Bladed skid trails have been associated with increased erosion, compaction, and accessibility limitations on steeper slopes. Tethered logging is an alternative logging system used on steeper terrain where cable winches assist machinery up and down steep slopes. Tethered logging can potentially reduce environmental impacts because it minimizes or eliminates bladed skid trails and more evenly distributes ground disturbance. Therefore, this study was conducted to quantify and compare Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) breakthroughs and harvest-related disturbance for conventional and tethered operations in West Virginia. Overall, tethered units had fewer breakthroughs, less area of harvest-related disturbance within SMZs, and higher BMP implementation compared to conventional units. Specifically, conventional units had nearly double the breakthroughs per km of SMZ (2.5) compared to tethered units (1.3). Additionally, the average area of harvest-related disturbance for conventional units (175.7 m2/km) was over two-times higher compared to tethered units (77.1 m2/km). The mean percent area of disturbance within SMZs was similar on conventional (0.41) and tethered (0.40) SMZs. The average occurrence of harvest-related disturbances per km of SMZ was slightly higher on tethered units (4.82) than conventional (4.17). Average BMP scores were slightly lower on conventional units (73.9%) compared to tethered units (78.8%). Overall, it appears that the use of tethered logging on these units contributed fewer breakthroughs and a reduced area of harvest-related disturbances; however, due to the small sample size, no significant differences were found in the analyses. Further research is necessary to better understand the potential environmental impacts of tethered systems in the Central Appalachians as these systems become increasingly popular.
Quantifying the influence of varying trail systems and harvesting intensities on soil quality
Mechanized forest operations can cause significant soil disturbances, particularly through increased physical damage and compaction. The extent of these impacts mainly depends on the load and traffic frequency of forest machines. However, the scarcity of data on soil physical parameters across different types of machine operating trails, as well as on soil resilience, limits the understanding of interactions between machines and soil. This gap hinders the adoption of less disruptive forestry practices in a context of increasing mechanization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of harvesting intensity and machine operating trail type on soil physical properties. This study, conducted in the Hereford Forest in the province of Québec, Canada, systematically assessed the combined effect of three types of machine operating trails (conventional, ghost (GT), and diagonal-entry (DE)) and two harvesting intensities (27% and 40% of standing volume) on soil physical parameters. Transects composed of eight sampling points were established in each plot, perpendicular to the direction of machine travel. These points were used to carry out pre- and post-harvest measurements of bulk density at two depths (10 cm and 30 cm), as well as soil penetration resistance using an electronic penetrometer. Soil pits were also dug in each plot to collect 10 kg of mineral soil (0-30 cm depth) for determining soil texture, Atterberg limits, and relative bulk density using the standard Proctor test. In total, 1,436 samples were collected for these analyses. The results indicate that soil moisture content during harvesting operations corresponded to a plastic soil condition. Dry bulk density compaction rate ranged from 9.0% for the 27% GT treatment to 21.1% for the 27% DE treatment.
Keywords: forest operations, oven-dry bulk density, relative bulk density, soil compaction, timber harvesting
Harvesting productivity during burned timber salvage operations
Wildfires are among the most significant disturbances impacting the forest industry. One mitigation practice to reduce the impact of these fires is the salvage logging of burned timber to preserve its value. This study aimed to assess the effect of burn severity classes on the harvesting productivity during post-fire timber recovery. Nearly 1,100 trees were sampled across plots representing four burn severity classes: carbonized, red, affected, and green (unburned control). Pre-harvest stand conditions were documented through field inventories, and operational activities were recorded for time-motion analysis. Harvest volumes were obtained from the harvester’s onboard computer. A non-parametric test was used to compare productivity across burn classes. Results showed higher productivity in fire-affected plots (carbonized, red, and affected) compared to the green class. Further analysis revealed no significant productivity differences between burn severity classes for stems with volumes below 0.1 m3. Similarly, no significant differences were found between the burn severity classes (i) carbonized vs. green and (ii) carbonized, red, and affected for stems with harvested volumes ranging from 0.1 m3 to 0.2 m3. These findings suggest that burn severity classes do not reduce harvester productivity during salvage operations. These results highlight the potential of recovering fire-affected timber. Future studies should aim to use big data from harvester onboard computers to improve the prediction of productivity differences among burn severity classes.
Productivity and costs of salvage logging using cut-to-length harvesting systems in the Southeastern US: A case study following Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Southeastern US as a Category 4 hurricane in September 2024, causing $1.75 billion damage affecting 4.5 million hectares of forests in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Georgia forests suffered extensive damage, with 3.6 million hectares impacted and costs estimated at $1.28 billion. After such disturbance, salvage logging is conducted for economic recovery, to reduce fire risks, and to prevent the spread of harmful insects. However, salvage logging is challenging due to the limited timeframe given to avoid fiber degradation. The cut-to-length (CTL) system might be advantageous in salvage logging since the boom can easily pick fallen trees from the ground and has high value recovery potential due to computer-aided bucking. The goal of this study was to evaluate the productivity and cost of CTL harvesting systems in a salvage logging context for different damage classes, including undamaged, broken tree stems, and uprooted whole trees. To estimate productivity, an elemental time study was conducted on a Ponsse harvester and forwarder. To calculate hourly machine costs and costs per tonne, the machine rate approach was used. Harvester productivity averaged 29.9 tonnes per productive machine hour (pmh) when harvesting uprooted fallen trees, compared to 51.8 t pmh−1 for undamaged standing trees (P=0.001). The productivity of forwarding pulpwood was 20.8 t pmh−1, which was significantly lower than the 31.2 t pmh−1 when forwarding sawtimber (P=0.002). The average extraction distance was not significantly different for sawtimber and pulpwood. In the regression analysis, product class and forwarding distance were identified as significant predictors of forwarding productivity. The machine cost for scheduled machine hours (smh) for the harvester was $106.34 hr−1 and for the forwarder was $95.65 hr−1. Landowners and loggers can utilize these findings in salvage logging decision-making to optimize financial outcomes.
Giving eyes to a mechanical tree planting machine
Plantmax is a mechanical tree planting machine built on a forwarder. It has two disc trenchers located in the middle of the machine, thus the scarified area is compacted by the machine’s rear wheels. Behind the machine two mechanical arms put seedlings in the prepared ground. The machine detects rocks mechanically and does not release a plant if the ground is too hard or too soft. However, the machine is wasting some seedlings by planting them in water, humus or where the scarifier failed to create a good planting spot. In this project cameras were mounted in the rear of the machine to take pictures of the scarified ground to determine if the scarified plot is suited for planting or not. The pictures are evaluated using a Tensorflow image classification model and can recognize mineral soil, humus, sticks/branches, unscarified ground, rocks and water. On a user interface the operator of the machine can adjust the tolerance values for each recognized class. If the probability value for a class in a picture is above any of these tolerance values the system sends a block signal to the machine and no seedling is planted until the system releases the block signal. The machine has been in operation for two seasons using the camera system to evaluate the prepared ground but also collecting images to improve the dataset used for model training. The company owning the machine has seen that the planting quality does increase when the system is used. However, there still are some issues, caused by the harsh environment, that call for improvements.
Robotic Sensing for Automated Volume Estimation of Long Logs in Forestry Operations
Efficient and accurate measurement of long-log volumes remains a major challenge in forestry, particularly at the interface between harvesting and transportation logistics. In long-wood operations involving delimbers, volume estimation is still largely manual or based on indirect metrics, leading to suboptimal planning and inaccurate valuation of timber. To address this, we present a robotic perception system designed for real-time, in-situ estimation of long-log volume directly on the machine. Our system integrates lidar and visual sensors onto the delimber, capturing dense 3D point clouds and imagery during log handling. Using a combination of geometric modeling and machine learning, we automatically segment individual stems and reconstruct their 3D structure, estimating log volume using taper-based models derived from the point cloud data. The approach is designed to operate without requiring full visibility of the log or a controlled environment, making it suitable for the variable and often harsh conditions encountered on forestry sites. This project bridges the gap between field robotics and forest operations by embedding intelligent sensing directly onto active forestry machinery. It enables consistent, objective measurements that support improved inventory tracking, operational productivity, and logistical coordination. Field trials conducted in collaboration with a forestry company in Québec demonstrate the system’s ability to reliably estimate volume, as well as additional characteristics such as diameter, species, and GPS coordinates, even under challenging weather conditions like snow or in cases of partial occlusion. We discuss key challenges, including variability in tree morphology, motion artifacts due to machine vibration, and generalization across species and operators. By automating long-log volume estimation at the source, this technology lays the groundwork for smarter, semi-autonomous forestry workflows and improved forest resource accountability.
Autonomous log loading using a stereoscopic camera
A large challenge when using multiple positioning sensors on a forestry machine in operation is to get all sensors to remain in their place so that the synchronization of the coordinate system remains intact over a workday. One way of overcoming this obstacle is to separate work processes so that only one sensor-system is used at each time. In this study the autonomous loading of a full-scale forwarder was separated in two parts; Boom out/grasping and loading. The first part is done using only a single stereo camera for object detection (log and grapple) and a simple controller moving the boom, with feedback from the camera for boom-tip control. When the log is in the grapple the rest of the loading part is done using the crane sensors where the machine acts as a regular industrial robot. To test the accuracy, boom movements were examined from two different start positions in relation to the target position, with the log placed at three different angles. The overall log-grasping success was also evaluated. The tests were performed in a full-scale, real-time operation, without hand-eye calibration or other sensor data from the machine. The log loading system was implemented in the remote operation station in Troedsson Forestry Operation Lab. The operator can see on a screen that the system has detected a log, and the autonomous loading process can be initiated by pressing a button.
The Operational and Value Implications of Conservation Easements in Georgia: A Case Study
Georgia’s property tax system has significant implications for forestland retention and landowner profitability. Preferential tax programs have been established to reduce property tax burdens for forest landowners that agree to keep their property forested, with penalties for conversion to other land uses. In this case study, a large landowner in South Georgia has property enrolled in the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) program along with a conservation easement restricting development and mandating management practices to provide habitat for the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) and gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). The objectives of this study were to compare property taxes based on standard rates and enrollment in FLPA and compare ad valorem tax, bare land value, and net present value between property enrolled in a conservation easement versus working loblolly pine forests. We also analyzed economic loss associated with operational restrictions associated with the conservation easement, such as prohibited use of mechanical site preparation, planting of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris L.), and others, along with discussion of potential for public goods that the easement provides. Inventory data and stand conditions were collected from the landowner. Growth and yield modeling and discounted cash flow analysis were conducted at a stand level. Results indicate that over a 28-year rotation, the landowner paid $365.34 per acre in property taxes under FLPA compared to $560.68 per acre with standard rates applied. The ad valorem tax for timber harvest was $8.63 per acre on property enrolled in conservation easement compared to $110.56 per acre on working forest. The after-tax NPV per acre for land enrolled in conservation easement was -$297.20 compared to $19.08 on working forest, assuming a 5% real discount rate. This study provides forest landowners with information to make educated decisions on tax relieving programs and the operational implications of tax and conservation policies.
Investigating the Relationship between Nonindustrial Private Forest (NIPF) Landowners and Logging Businesses in the US South
The US South is the wood basket of the nation, contributing about 60% of all the wood harvested. This timber harvested by independent loggers comes from over 205 million acres of forestland, of which about 86% of the forestland is privately owned. Logging businesses in the region support rural economies, yet the relationship between landowners and loggers is poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to better understand the dynamics between landowners and loggers for developing better communication and marketing strategies for further improving the resiliency of the timber supply chains in Georgia, a prominent forestry state. We conducted interviews with landowners in Georgia who had recently harvested timberland ranging from 20 to 100 acres, across nine selected counties. The selected counties had a minimum annual timber output threshold of $5 million. We interviewed 30 landowners between January and April of 2025. These landowners were identified by evaluating county timber harvesting notifications and county tax records. We conducted interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire to capture satisfaction of landowners with the logging businesses and identify areas for improvement. Preliminary findings suggest that landowners are highly satisfied with logging businesses. Respondents consistently reported positive experiences with critical aspects like adherence to harvest plans and contracts, timely and complete payments, and compliance with Best Management Practices. However, many landowners believe there is room for improvement in the quality of communication. The outcome of this study will provide a detailed description of the relationship between small and medium-sized forest landowners and respective logging businesses, highlighting the positive and negative aspects of the relationship, and consequently providing tools for strategic decision-making and planning. Additionally, it would help inform broader policies and identify strategies to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the timber supply chain to ensure sustainable management of forestlands owned by families in the US South.
Log Truck Weight Regulations and Operational Impacts: Perspectives from Alabama’s Logging Industry
Truck weight regulations play a central role in shaping the efficiency, safety, and infrastructure impacts of timber transportation in the U.S. South. Under federal law, gross vehicle weight (GVW) is limited to 80,000 lbs. (36,287 kg) on interstate highways with no tolerance, while in Alabama, state highways permit up to 88,000 lbs. (39,916 kg) through a 10% enforcement allowance. This study surveyed logging business owners (n=146) across Alabama to assess their perceptions of these regulatory limits and the implications for operational performance, equipment planning, and road use. Respondents were asked about current weight tolerances, potential policy adjustments, safety outcomes, and infrastructures effects. Results revealed broad support for increasing allowable weights on interstate highways, with over 85% of respondents indicating that such changes would improve efficiency, primarily through enhanced route flexibility and reduced fuel and maintenance costs. A majority (87%) also perceived interstate highways as safer than state routes, citing fewer traffic stops, better engineering, and smoother traffic flow. While 97% of the respondents believed their existing trailers could safely handle increased weights, only 39% were willing to invest in equipment upgrades without regulatory certainty or financial incentive. Although concerns about infrastructure damage were expressed by a minority, most participants viewed interstate highways as capable of supporting heavier loads. These findings suggest that modest GVW increases, particularly when aligned across state and federal roadways, may enhance productivity and safety in the logging sector without imposing disproportionate infrastructure risks. However, successful implementation will require careful coordination across permitting systems, enforcement practices, and local infrastructure planning.
Keywords: Log truck weight regulations, Gross vehicle weight, Forest logistics, Transportation infrastructure, Timber transportation
Biofuel options for power in the eastern US
The PJM electrical grid comprises 13 US states. To put it plainly this electrical grid is out of power. Where do we go from here? This question is one that could be cab be brought up in many parts of the world. In West Virginia and the surrounding states, we have been gifted with an abundant resource. With the closing of paper mills and sawmills in our region the question how to properly manage our timber-based resource is often asked. This in turn raises up the use of biofuel for power production. There are several states that already producing power this way and this presentation will outline a path forward to do it in our region as well as others. With the growth of AI and data collections centers the demand for power is skyrocketing and as good stewards of the land we need to move forward with this green based power source that is completely renewable. It will take the combined efforts of power companies, grid operators, government entities, loggers, and the general public to push this forward and bring it to fruition. The details and of how this can work will be spelled out in the presentation. Thank you for taking the time to consider this topic for presentation at the conference!
Portable Sawmills: Productivity and Sawdust Inhalation
Portable sawmills continue to be of interest to forest owners, and the global market is expected to have an annual compound growth rate of 1.7% over the next five years. Research and Extension activities surrounding portable sawmills are cyclical, but with increasing storm frequency and diminishing forest products markets, many landowners consider investing in a portable sawmill to generate revenue. Despite the interest, little is known about the productivity of lower-end, homeowner-style portable sawmills that are within the $5,000 to $10,000 price range. Our research shows the productivity and cost of milling lumber using two different portable sawmills. In addition, we also investigated the amount of inhalable particles when working with a portable sawmill.
Timber-Safe Network (TSN) Reduction of Central Appalachian Logging Hazards through the Implementation and Diffusion of a Community Based Logging Operations Safety and Health Resource Network
Logging is one of the most dangerous occupations in the US with a fatality rate that is more than 20 times higher than the national average for all workers. Training programs, statewide certifications, OSHA special emphasis programs throughout Appalachia, and federal regulations have had no significant impact on the reduction of serious injuries and deaths to loggers. The lack of progress in reducing logger injury clearly indicates a need for the application of new approaches to this problem. We are building on our current evidence-based work “Timber-Safe” that successfully implemented a logging safety management program that improved safety and health management and reduced hazards in West Virginia logging companies. We are utilizing a community based participatory research hazard reduction approach to disseminate the program to Central Appalachia (Eastern KY, Southwest VA and WV). In Timber-Safe we evaluated a safety and health management system program. The program educates on the importance of fully implementing a safety and health management program. The intervention included training, implementing the program, and establishing a regular routine for gathering data on hazards and implemented controls. The site hazard audits gathered evidence that was used to determine whether known hazards that lead to injury and death have been reduced or eliminated following the intervention. An experimental design was employed with 31 logging companies participating in the study. Data on each site were gathered via on-site safety audits every 6 weeks over a 72-week period. The Timber-Safe study found that both groups (intensive and basic intervention) benefited from the Timber- Safe program with both groups improving their safety management practices while also reducing hazards on the worksite.
Evaluating GIS-based predictors of soil bearing capacity for forestry operations
Soil compaction and rutting is common during forestry operations on weak soils especially under wet conditions. These impacts can reduce forest growth and long-term soil productivity. GIS-based models estimating soil bearing capacity can guide planning of harvesting and road placement to reduce the risk of such damage. This study aimed to evaluate which geospatial variables best estimate soil strength, expressed as California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and how the generation of Depth-to-Water (DTW) maps influence these predictions. Field data from 120 sampling plots across six forest areas around Uppsala were analyzed in relation to GIS variables such as DTW, elevation, slope, forest stand volume, soil depth, and peat layer presence. Both categorized and continuous DTW values were tested, as well as different flow accumulation thresholds (from 0.05 to 10 hectares) used in DTW map creation. Using a 1 ha threshold for flow accumulation gave the strongest correlation between DTW and CBR (ρ=0.37), suggesting this threshold value best reflects soil strength variability. Switching from categorical to continuous DTW values increased the model’s adjusted R2 from 0.062 to 0.155. Adding slope, forest volume, and soil depth increased adjusted R2 further to 0.178. Elevation had a weak correlation with CBR. The best balance between simplicity and predictive performance was achieved with models including continuous DTW, forest volume, and slope (adjusted R2=0.189). Field-determined soil type was more reliable than map-based data, and SLU’s soil moisture map, integrating DTW and other hydrological and geological data, further improved predictions. However, limitations remain due to sparse sampling, urban forest environments, and the static nature of DTW. In conclusion, DTW-based models, especially when combined with additional variables, show potential for predicting trafficability, though field validation remains important.
Synthetic Rope: Adoption; Applications; and New Developments
Since research at Oregon State University in 2000, synthetic rope has been adopted by various segments of the logging industry. Where safety codes in state safety agencies govern logging, synthetic rope is accepted as a replacement for steel wire rope. Applications in logging were identified early for static and running lines and experience provides guidance on the use of synthetic rope. A novel use combines drones stringing synthetic rigging lines across canyons for skyline logging. New developments in rope structure, blocks, swivels, straps and slings offer new potentials. Synthetic ropes and rigging have reduced workloads and extended working careers for loggers.
Evaluating fuel consumption and productivity of hybrid harvesters operating in eastern Canada
The forest industry acts as both a cause and a solution for greenhouse emissions. Although forest management and wood products are effective for carbon storage, harvesting and processing are fossil fuel-consuming activities. In Quebec, Canada, 20 million m3 of wood are harvested annually with the cut-to-length method, thus consuming about 30 million liters of diesel per year. Technological advancements, such as hybrid harvesters, offer a potential solution for improving productivity while reducing environmental impacts. This study evaluated fuel consumption and harvesting productivity of hybrid harvesters in real-world operational settings found in Quebec, Canada. The experimental design involved three hybrid harvesters operating during both summer and winter seasons, and encompassing a variety of stand types including hardwood, softwood, and mixed forests. Field data were collected using two complementary approaches: continuous monitoring via the Logset portal and operator logbooks as well as targeted field campaigns. These campaigns involved time-motion studies, onboard computer records and a container-based fuel measurement method. Harvesting productivity was assessed across softwood and hardwood stands, with analysis linking tree characteristics such as DBH and stem volume to machine productivity. Fuel consumption was evaluated using liters per cubic meter and liters per hour, revealing that hybrid harvesters consumed between 1.09 and 1.34 l/m3 and averaged 19.66 to 25.81 L/h, depending on the measurement method. In contrast, non-hybrid machines consumed an average of 1.59 l/m3 and 25.19 l/h. This equals to a 16% reduction in fuel consumption. Productivity for hybrid harvesters varied by stand type and tree size with an average 21.8 m3/PMH15 in each field campaign. A life cycle analysis will be developed to quantify the broader environmental impact of hybrid technology, and economic models will be proposed to evaluate long-term cost performance. This integrated approach provides insights to improve the performance of mechanized forest operations.
What does it cost to own and operate a log truck in the US South?
In the US South, log trucks are critical to the forest products supply chain, transporting harvested raw materials to manufacturing facilities. Log truck owners face challenges to profitability due to rapid increases, volatility, and uncertainty in fuel, insurance, and labor costs. An accurate estimate of these costs specific to log truck owners in the US South is largely unknown. The objectives of this study were to document the current costs to own and operate log trucks in the US South. We interviewed 24 log truck owners from September 2023 to September 2024 across the US South to gather detailed data on the cost of owning and operating log trucks. Cost data were collected on repair and maintenance, tires, fuel, labor, insurance, vehicle payments, toll fees, permits/taxes, and other associated costs for the vehicle on an annual basis. Our results indicate that it costs an average of $173,931 per truck per year to own and operate log trucks in the US South. Labor, fuel, and vehicle payments were the largest component costs, averaging $65,112, $54,051, and $27,154, respectively. Insurance premiums averaged an annual cost of $13,454 per truck. Repair and maintenance costs averaged $12,638 per truck per year and tires cost an average of $4,838 per truck per year. The estimated purchase price for a new log truck ranged from $145,000 to $249,900, while used truck prices ranged from $65,000 to $167,000. This study illustrated the high costs of owning and operating that log truck owners are facing. These cost estimates provide a reliable source to be referenced by the entire wood products supply chain. This data can be used by log truck owners and others interested in hauling costs to inform transportation investment decisions and to compare an owner’s costs to a regional average.
Examining the Barriers to Entry for Third Party Logging Truck Drivers in the Southeastern United States
Vida Owusu, Auburn University, Dr. Marissa Jo Daniel, Auburn University Co| Dr. Richard Cristan, Auburn University | Dr. Adam Maggard, Auburn University.
The log trucking industry is essential to the Southeastern United States forestry sector, ensuring the efficient transport of harvested timber from forest to mill, supporting both regional and national economies. Within this sector, company-employed, independent, and third-party contract log truck drivers each operate under distinct employment and financial structures, facing unique challenges. This study investigates the operational, financial, and regulatory challenges affecting each group, with particular attention to third-party drivers, who often face high equipment costs, limited access to contracts, fluctuating insurance premiums, and competitive disadvantages compared to company-employed drivers. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative data from surveys from log truck drivers with qualitative insights from in-depth interviews with industry stakeholders. Quantitative analysis will identify the trends in employment types and entry barriers, while qualitative analysis will capture drivers’ lived experiences and industry perspectives. The study aims to uncover inefficiencies in the log trucking sector and propose strategies to improve driver recruitment, retention, and sustainability. The findings will provide valuable insights for policymakers and industry leaders, supporting workforce development and helping the sector adapt to evolving market and environmental demands.
Route Optimization for Log Truck Transportation: Analyzing Safety and Transportation Efficiency
Alabama has 23 million acres of forestland and over 110 wood manufacturing facilities spread across the state which generate over $12.5 billion annually. Log trucks play a critical role in sustaining the supply chain by transporting timber from harvesting sites to mill locations. However, log truck transportation poses inherent risks and challenges. To deliver timber to mills, log trucks have to travel on extensive primary and secondary routes (state and county roadways) that often pass through urban areas creating a safety hazard for the general public and log truck drivers themselves. Frequent crossing at traffic intersections, acceleration/deceleration at stop lights and signs, and limited turn radius are main causes of accidents. Further, accidents involving log trucks can lead to costly lawsuits, driving up insurance premiums and threatening the profitability of the industry. Unlike conventional routes, interstate highways offer significant advantages for log truck travel. However, log trucks frequently avoid travelling loaded on interstate highways due to weight restrictions. State and county roadways allow for 80,000lbs (+ 10% allowance), where interstate highways are limited to 80,000lbs. An industry that is already struggling with rising insurance premiums and fuel prices, travelling with less weight on interstate highways makes it challenging to maintain daily operational costs. Interstate highways offer distinct advantages over conventional routes with no traffic intersections, stop signs and streamlined traffic. Travelling, with extra load weight on interstates, would enable log trucks to deliver larger volumes of timber and avoid urban areas, enhancing safety and efficiency. Using advance GIS network analysis and route optimization techniques, this study aims to evaluate the relative safety, economic benefits, and operational efficiency of using interstate highways vs current routes for log truck transportation in Alabama. Findings from this study will have important implications for improving log truck transportation safety and efficiency in Alabama and beyond.
Temporal Changes in Infiltration Due to Forest Fire and Logging in Uljin-gun, Republic of Korea
Forest fires have been devastating large areas around the world in recent years. There are concerns about the increase in disaster risk such as post-fire flooding and soil erosion. This study measured the infiltration rate, a crucial soil parameter to affect post-fire runoff, in Uljin-gun where a total area of 16,302 ha was burned in 2022 and later salvage logging was conducted in most of the areas with an excavator equipped with a wood grab. This study measured the infiltration rates in 2022 and 2023 using minidisk infiltrometers and tablet PCs for bare land, ash in crown fire areas, and control with 12 repetitions (a total of 36 measurements). In 2024 the infiltration rates were measured for post-fire salvage logging, no logging, and control areas with 12 repetitions. After two years passed, most of the ashes washed away and it was difficult to measure infiltration rates from ash areas. Results showed that the average infiltrations of 7.73 (with standard deviation of 6.33), 43.3 (37.7) and 67.7 (53.1) mm/h were measured for bare land, ash and control in 2022; 19.5 (21.4), 39.1 (33.8) and 46.5(40.5)mm/h in 2023; and 15.5 (13.7), 18.6 (14.6) and 35.4 (26.0) mm/h for salvage logging, no logging, and control in 2024. The infiltration rate of bare land was significantly lower than ash and control in the fire occurrence year, but no significant difference was found in the next year. No significant difference in infiltration was observed between salvage and no logging activities. It is important to preserve ashes to reduce post-fire flooding and erosion risks. No evidence for post-fire salvage logging was observed in this study. Continuous monitoring is needed to access post-fire salvage logging more accurately. Limitations of the minidisk infiltrometer are discussed.
Assessing carbon emissions from harvesting and transportation in Alabama’s sawmills and paper mills
This study examines the carbon emissions associated with harvesting practices in sawlog and pulpwood for sawmills and paper mills across Alabama, focusing on the impact of two key processes: harvest operations and transportation to mills. CO2 emissions in machinery were assessed in harvesting operations across 10 distinct sites. The truck transportation emissions were estimated based on the volume of roundwood and the distance from procurement counties to mills based on Timber Products Output data, administered by the Forest Inventory and Analysis program of the U.S. Forest Service. We estimate CO2 emissions from 60 sawmills and 11 pulp and paper mills in 2023, providing detailed emissions throughout the supply chain. This analysis contributes valuable insights to understanding how timber and pulp harvesting affects the life cycle of carbon sequestration, flow and storage, and emission from tree growth to final wood products.
Simulating Forest Fuel Treatment Logistics: A Discrete-Event Modeling Approach to Biomass Utilization and Economic Viability
Mechanical thinning and biomass removal are essential for reducing wildfire risk in western U. S. forests. However, the woody residues from these treatments often lack consistent market value, creating logistical and economic challenges for their disposal. One promising alternative is energy generation from this biomass, which can add financial value to otherwise underutilized material. Air curtain burners (ACB) can enable distributed heat and power production while reducing fire hazards and mitigating smoke-related health risks typically associated with open pile burning-particularly in areas near infrastructure and urban communities. This work is developing a discrete-event simulation model in Arena software to evaluate the operational logistics of forest fuel treatment and biomass utilization by ACB under two distinct scenarios and varying transportation distances. The model captures 120 working days, encompassing sequential phases including harvesting, processing, comminution, transport, and combustion. In the first scenario, untrimmed trees are transported whole, with processing and burning occurring at the destination. In the second scenario, forest residues are compacted using a baler to increase bulk density and reduce transport costs. The simulation is parameterized using secondary data sources to represent machine productivity, operational delays, and resource capacities. Outputs will include system productivity estimates and identification of operational bottlenecks in each scenario. These simulation results will be combined with machine rate estimates to calculate the economic cost per gigajoule (GJ) for energy generated. The study aims to define an economically viable radius for ACB biomass-to-energy conversion by exploring system behavior across a range of transport distances. This modeling approach supports strategic planning, improves residue utilization, and informs decision-making for forest operations and decentralized bioenergy deployment.
An analysis of the process and attributes used in the Transaction Evidence Appraisal method for Forest Service timber sales in the US Southwest
The United States Forest Service (USFS) currently uses a Transaction Evidence Appraisal (TEA) method to appraise stumpage in fuel treatment contracts, incorporating key factors such as stump-to-truck processing, slash disposal, transportation, timber markets, and bidder competition. This study aims to improve our understanding of the total costs involved and final advertised rates in fuel treatment operations in USFS Regions 2 and 3. Stump-to-truck processing and timber transportation to mills represented the greatest share of TEA costs, comprising 96% of sale estimates in Region 2 and 94% in Region 3. Costs are significantly influenced by factors such as volume per acre, skidding distance, and proximity to processing facilities. Additionally, regression analysis examining bidding behaviors identified total sawtimber sale volumes and travel time as key factors influencing high bid amounts. Refining TEA cost estimation methods and strategically structuring future sales could optimize the effectiveness and scalability of mechanical thinning treatments on national forests.
Forest Restoration Strategy to Reduce Sediment Yield from Burned Areas in Republic of Korea
In recent years, the rapid expansion of wildfire-affected areas has led to an increased incidence of secondary forest disturbances, including sediment yield triggered by wildfires and subsequent intensive rainfall. This study aims to identify soil erosion and sediment yield processes with respect to burn severity (crown and surface fires). In large-scale wildfire-affected areas in Korea, mostly coniferous forests, sediment yield varies depending on burn severity, highlighting the need for appropriate restoration techniques tailored to each severity level. Three sites representing high, low, and unburned (control) severity levels were selected in the 2020 Andong wildfire-affected area. To ensure consistency in site conditions, coniferous forests with east-facing slopes and approximately 50% gradient were chosen. A total of 12 silt fences (5m×10m) were installed, with 4 fences per site for measurements. Sediment yield was monitored three times annually from 2020 to 2024 to assess the changes with respect to burn severity and time. Ground cover was monitored using a 1m×1m quadrat. The results indicated that the sediment yield was extremely high in the year of the wildfire but decreased rapidly over time. In high severity burn sites, sediment yield markedly decreased (5,761, 286, 104, 94, and 91kg/ha). Ground cover slowly increased (43.7, 68.5, 82.1, 92.7, and 100%). In low-severity burn sites, stress-induced defoliation increased the surface ground cover (84.0, 96.9, 100, 100, and 99.4%), reducing sediment yield (171, 26, 94, 28, and 15 kg/ha). Conserving topsoil is utmost important for forest restoration of burned areas. This study underscores the critical role of emergency erosion control measures, such as mulching, following wildfires to increase ground cover and to prevent forest degradation by excessive erosion in high burn severity, crown fire areas. Less effort is needed for low burn severity, surface fire areas.
Forest Health and Fire Prevention by Mulching
Mulching is an important forest management tool used for wildfire prevention and ecosystem restoration. It involves using machinery to grind or shred woody vegetation, redistributing biomass from the canopy to the forest floor (Wolk et al., 2020). While it doesn’t reduce total biomass, mulching disrupts ladder fuels-vegetation that allows fire to climb into the canopy-lowering fire intensity and supporting post-fire recovery (Halbrook, 2006; Kane et al., 2009). The mulch layer protects soil by reducing erosion, retaining moisture, and promoting regrowth (Fornwalt, 2016; Lucas-Borja et al., 2019; Carmona-Yáñez et al., 2023). Prats et al. (2016) found that mulching reduced runoff by 50% and soil loss by 90% in the first post-fire year while increasing soil organic matter-vital for long-term recovery. It also moderates soil temperature, enhances microbial activity, and suppresses invasive species, reducing herbicide use (Battaglia et al., 2010). However, the effectiveness of mulching depends on site-specific factors like mulch depth, material, and environmental conditions. Misapplication can lead to problems such as poor plant growth or anaerobic soils. Therefore, adaptive strategies are essential. When combined with thinning and prescribed burning, mulching forms a key part of integrated fuel management. As climate change increases wildfire severity, proactive practices like mulching are more critical than ever (Stephens et al., 2012). My research will examine not only the ecological benefits but also the economic feasibility of mulching. By analyzing its cost-effectiveness, long-term sustainability, and environmental impacts, I aim to provide a comprehensive assessment. This includes a time study to evaluate operational costs and a broader look at mulching’s potential to improve forest resilience.
Optimizing Biomass and Waste Feedstock Logistics with AI: An Integrated Multimodal Transport for Bioenergy and Bioproduct System in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States
Efficient logistics are essential for enhancing the use of biomass and waste in producing bioenergy and bioproducts in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. However, challenges inherent to biomass, such as variability in physical properties, seasonal availability, and geographic distribution, complicate its collection, storage, and transportation. Each of these factors impacts the efficiency of the logistic processes and ultimately affects the feasibility of bioenergy and bioproduct production. Transportation is a significant cost factor in the supply chain, so optimizing it can significantly reduce costs and CO2 emissions. Research indicates that multimodal transportation is a viable alternative, as combining different modes allows flexible, adaptable, and efficient route planning. This approach also enables the use of more economical modes with lower emissions and greater cargo capacity, such as rail transport. Furthermore, artificial intelligence serves as a tool to simulate various scenarios and determine the most cost-effective combinations of transportation modes. This study proposes a theoretical framework that identifies the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in optimizing biomass logistics for producing bioenergy and bioproducts using multimodal transport. The initial phase of this study identifies key components, including biomass logistics, multimodal transportation, and the use of AI in optimizing supply chains. The second phase focuses on integrating these elements to enhance the efficiency and profitability of the biomass supply chain. This approach aims to identify improved alternatives for biomass transportation that strengthen its supply chain and support its use in bioenergy and bioproduct production.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Biomass, Logistics, Machine Learning, Multimodal, Supply Chain, Transportation.
A Machine Learning-Based Integrated Modeling and Analysis Framework for Sustainable Biomass Supply Chain Management
The sustainable utilization of biomass, such as forest residues and energy crops, is one of the important pathways to producing value-added bioproducts and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The multi-feedstock biomass supply chain is a complex system that encompasses multiple processes, including the establishment of biomass crops, harvesting, collection, preprocessing, transportation, storage, and conversion. Biomass supply chain management (BSCM) aims to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability by planning, coordinating, and optimizing the entire process from the source to the final use of biomass resources. Existing research on BSCM has limitations in terms of decision levels, optimization objectives, and modelling methods. This study developed an integrated analysis and modelling framework for bi-objective optimization of multi-feedstock biomass supply chains at different decision levels. The study includes three stages: first, using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and geographic information system (GIS)-based spatial analysis to identify suitable biomass facility locations; second, predicting biomass energy demand using machine learning techniques; and third, reducing the cost and environmental impact of biomass utilization through mixed-integer linear programming. This comprehensive analysis and modelling framework provides decision support for effective BSCM and promotes the sustainable development of renewable energy and the bioeconomy.
Optimization of Harvest Unit Layout for Tethered Thinning Operations
Tethered harvesting systems have made steep-slope logging safer and more efficient. However, operational planning in such systems still heavily depends on operator experience, which can pose safety risks and lead to reduced productivity.
To address these challenges, we present a decision-support tool for harvest layout that uses a customized genetic algorithm with a penalized single-objective function to generate near-optimal tethered-harvesting layouts. It minimizes total machine-path length while ensuring coverage of pre-marked trees and avoiding corridor overlaps. Our feasibility-first approach supports environmentally and economically sustainable planning.
Additionally, the study investigates the impacts of digital terrain model (DTM) resolution and the selection of cut-trees on the generated layouts and their performance. Our approach contributes not only to enhancing the steep-slope harvesting operations, but also to the development of future autonomous or semi-autonomous harvesting technologies.
Application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in forestry
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are transforming forest operation activities. They have been playing a critical role in mapping, monitoring, and inventory processes and have emerged as optimistic tools to enhance forest ecosystem assessments. UAVs provide ultra-high-resolution data, which significantly enhances evaluations of forest structure, condition, and disturbance severity. Some of the emerging fields for drone applications include forest health monitoring, pest management, and environmental stressors. Drones also play a crucial role in wildlife monitoring and radio-tracking for wildlife. They also have been proven effective in monitoring forestry best management practices in the coastal plains of the southern USA. Due to their ability to access remote terrain quickly and efficiently, UAVs are now assisting in forest fire monitoring and disaster management. After the devastating fire, drones can be used to carry out reforestation programs. Drones are cost-effective and time-efficient compared to traditional methods; they can perform surveys multiple times with consistent and accurate results, ensuring reliable data collection, and have a low impact on the environment. As traditional methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to human errors, drones equipped with high-quality cameras and LiDAR can be utilized in a variety of ways. This presentation deals with utilizing drone technology in forest mills in the southeastern USA. Specifically, this study will focus on drone utilization to carry out inventories of chips and woodpiles by generating precise 3D models, which can be generated using advanced software.
Evaluating Soil Erosion at Harvest Sites Using UAV Imagery, Deep Learning, and GIS
Conventional soil erosion assessments at harvest sites typically depend on field-based surveys. This study explores the application of UAV-based remote sensing to provide an alternative approach for estimating soil erosion following timber harvesting. In this study, we assessed soil erosion potential across 20 harvest sites in the southeastern United States by integrating high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, GIS data, and deep learning models. UAV-derived orthomosaic maps were segmented into distinct harvest categories using semantic segmentation models based on U-Net, DeepLabV3, and PSPNet architectures, employing ResNet-34 and ResNet-50 backbones. Among these, the DeepLabV3 model with a ResNet-34 backbone achieved the highest precision, recall, and F1 scores, and was selected for classifying harvest categories within each site. Soil erosion was estimated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), incorporating key factors: rainfall and runoff erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length (L), slope steepness (S), cover-management (C), and support practice (P). Using classified orthomosaic maps and field-based data, we developed a combined CP raster layer for each site to support erosion estimation. The results indicated that forest roads had the highest potential soil erosion rates, followed by skid trails, loading decks, clear-cut areas, vegetated clear-cuts, and streamside management zones (SMZs). Across all sites, the average erosion rate was 0.78 tonnes per hectare per year. This study highlights the effectiveness of integrating UAV imagery, deep learning, and GIS in providing an alternative approach for estimating soil erosion potential.
Assessing Impacts of PM2.5 Emission Changes in Forest Industries of Alabama, USA
Alabama, renowned for its extensive forest area and leading forest industries, significantly contributes to the nation’s economy, ranking first in loblolly pine stock volume, second in pulp and paper production, and sixth in lumber and panel industries. The recently revised primary annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standard from 12.0 μg/m3 to 9.0 μg/m3 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to present challenges for Alabama’s forest industries, particularly in rural areas. This study aims to understand perceptions and investigates the economic, environmental, and operational impacts of the revised PM2.5 regulations on forest industries in Alabama. Qualitative data collection involves focus group discussion (FGD) with industry and policy maker representatives and questionnaire surveys with industry owners to gather data on their perceptions, anticipated impacts, and adaptive strategies. Primary industries, including sawmills, pulp and paper, pellets, and oriented strand boards, will be selected from the online-based AFC Industry Directory in Alabama, and a total enumeration survey will be done. Quantitative data on PM2.5 emissions will be collected before, during, and after burning during site preparation activities on multiple forest sites. PM2.5 data will be collected using portable air quality monitors at ground level, and aerial emissions data will be collected by flying drones mounting air quality sensors at different heights. Qualitative data will be analyzed using MAXQDA, and quantitative and statistical data will be analyzed using R software. Funded by the USDA-NIFA, this research spans two years, and the results will be disseminated through presentations, posters, thesis, and peer-reviewed publications. The findings will support informed decision-making and strategies for balancing regulatory policies and PM2.5 contributions from Alabama’s forest industry, ultimately fostering a thriving economy, healthier communities, and a resilient environment in Alabama.
Evaluating the Quality of Machine Operator Tree Selection Decisions When Thinning Pine Plantations in the Southeastern US
Thinning, or removal of a portion of stems for the purposes of stand improvement and resource availability, in southern pine plantations (Pinus spp.) is commonly considered to be a beneficial practice both silviculturally and economically. This is due to increased growth rates following harvest and improved financial returns over the span of a rotation. Thinning operations in the US southeast commonly utilize a row-select system in which the feller-buncher operator decides which stems to harvest in the areas between removed rows. A scarcity of data currently exists on the quality of these decisions in relation to stand improvement. The objectives of this project were to: 1) evaluate the impact of machine operator selection decisions on thinning quality, 2) identify contributing factors to operator decisions and 3) propose solutions to improve operator decision-making. We evaluated 11 southern pine thinning sites in the southern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Texas before and after thinning harvests to assess trees per acre, basal area, quadratic mean diameter, defect percentage, and solid wood percentage to compare pre-thinning, post-thinning, and ideal thinning conditions. In addition, interviews were conducted with feller-buncher operators at each site to identify relationships between operator characteristics and harvest quality/stand improvement. No significant difference was found in trees per acre for the actual and ideal thinnings. There was a significant difference in basal area between the actual (64 ft2/acre) and ideal (76 ft2/acre) thinnings. Quadratic mean diameter was significantly different in the unthinned stand (9.1″), the actual (9.6″) and ideal (10.1″). For defect percentage, the actual thinning (46% of stems with defect) represented an improvement over the unthinned stand (55%), but did not reach the level of the ideal thinning (36%). Our results show that current thinning harvests are effective in improving stand characteristics, but that selection decisions could be improved.
Updating the Machine Rate Costing Methodology for Selected Forest Harvesting Machines
The machine rate method has been used extensively for estimating the hourly owning and operating cost of forest harvesting machines. This methodology uses simple inputs to estimate fixed, variable, and labor costs for individual machines resulting in a total cost in dollars per hour. Since its development in 1942, the methodology has been used by practitioners and researchers to estimate hourly machine costs. Since the last update in 2002, substantial changes have occurred such as new machine manufacturers, design changes, fuel efficiency and productivity advancements, and increases in purchase prices and operating costs. The objective of this study was to update the methodology using current machinery, assumptions, and inputs including interest rates, purchase prices, economic life, repair and maintenance, fuel consumption, and lubrication cost. We interviewed whole-tree and cut-to-length equipment dealers in the southeastern United States and obtained updated machine rate input data for 123 unique logging machines. Data were also collected to provide estimates for variables that previously relied on rules of thumb. Salvage values were based on empirical data and utilization rates were updated based on data from studies reporting machine clock-hours at the time of resale. Repair, maintenance, lubrication, and oil costs were based on the responses of equipment dealers, who are familiar with these costs through frequent communication with loggers. Formerly repair and maintenance costs were estimated as a percentage of depreciation while lubrication and oil costs were estimated as a percentage of fuel costs. Publicly available data sources such as the producer price index for machinery and equipment and the commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair and maintenance index were proposed to assist with more easily updating values into the future. Updating the machine rate methodology with current machines and input assumptions will assist managers with more accurately estimating machine ownership and operating costs.
Productivity Estimates for Whole-Tree Harvesting Equipment Under Operating Conditions Typical of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain Regions of the US South
Advancements in harvesting equipment have increased productivity of whole-tree harvesting equipment over the past three decades. Consequently, productivity estimates from the 1990s and 2000s may underestimate contemporary machine productivity. Simultaneously, increases in the ownership and operating costs of equipment have made accurate machine productivity estimates even more critical to effectively estimate cost per ton and manage logging businesses effectively. The objective of this study was to provide updated productivity estimates for rubber-tired feller-bunchers, grapple skidders, and trailer-mounted knuckleboom loaders conducting operational clearcuts and thinnings in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of the US South. Elemental time-and-motion studies and work sampling were conducted on seven southern pine (Pinus spp.) clearcuts, two first thinnings, and two second thinnings. Each operation used one rubber-tired feller-buncher, one or two grapple skidders, and one trailer-mounted loader. Cycle time data were combined with weight per stem from pre-harvest inventory estimates to estimate delay-free productivity. Regression equations predicting cycle times for each machine type were created using observed cycle times and variables recorded on each site (e.g., weight per stem, skidding distance, harvest type). Feller-buncher, skidder, and loader productivity on pine clearcuts averaged 88, 30, and 40 tons per productive machine hour (pmh), respectively. System productivity averaged just 21 tons per scheduled machine hour (smh). Improving machine utilization and system balancing could increase system productivity. Increasing skidding productivity by effectively managing skidding distance, avoiding the use of gate delimbers, maximizing skidder payload, and using higher capacity skidders could improve system productivity and lower harvesting costs per ton. Updated productivity estimates for timber harvesting machines can be used to improve harvesting cost estimates and to improve harvesting crew performance.
Soil nutrient management for energy crop production on legacy mine sites: A case study of Marion County, WV
A comprehensive case study has been conducted to examine the soil nutrient variability across legacy mine sites in Marion County, West Virginia, to support energy crop production and sustainable land reclamation. The site has been selected based on accessibility and slope (≤15∘), with twenty soil samples collected per site at a 0-20 cm depth. Soil samples were air-dried at 30∘C and processed using standardized laboratory protocols, including sieving, grinding, and homogenization. Key parameters measured included soil pH, organic matter (OM), electrical conductivity (EC), micronutrients (MN), and contaminant-nutrients (CN). Descriptive analysis, correlation matrix analysis, and geostatistical analysis were conducted to evaluate the spatial and statistical relationships among soil properties. Results show soil conditions across the site were highly variable in pH, with one zone identified as strongly acidic and others ranging from acidic to neutral. EC levels were generally below the optimal range (2−3.5 dS/m) for energy crops, while OM content was relatively high, suggesting favorable conditions for plant growth. Iron (Fe) concentrations were notably high, which may negatively affect root development and biomass yield. However, of the 15 different soil properties tested, only 4 (pH, EC, Fe, and OM) were highly correlated. A minimum data set (MDS) approach was applied to streamline nutrient evaluation, reducing assessment time and cost to make decisions at the policy level. These findings provide actionable insights into nutrient management and reclamation planning, particularly in environmentally vulnerable post-mining landscapes. This research contributes to the sustainable reuse of degraded land by informing the best practices for soil health restoration and bioenergy crop cultivation.
Key Words: Soil nutrient, correlation matrix, geostatistical analysis, mine soil reclamation
Real-Time Estimation of Logging Equipment Carbon Emission in the Southeastern United States
Mechanized whole-tree harvesting is widely used across the Southeastern United States, yet real-time carbon emissions from Tier 4 logging equipment remain underreported. This study quantifies CO2 emissions under active field conditions using Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS). Emissions were analyzed across Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) usage, machine type, engine power group, and operational activity. DEF-equipped machines emitted an average of 6.07 g/kWh less CO2 than non-DEF machines, reflecting the benefit of selective catalytic reduction systems. Among equipment types, feller-bunchers generated the highest emissions, followed by skidders and loaders, with loaders emitting 123.68 g/kWh less CO2 than feller-bunchers. Mid-range powered machines (165-184 kW) recorded the highest emissions, while the high-power group (185-203 kW) emitted 47 g/kWh less than the mid group, likely due to more efficient load handling. Activity type significantly influenced output, with loaded skidding producing the highest emissions and idle phases the lowest. These findings confirm that machine function, engine configuration, and task type are key drivers of carbon emissions in logging operations. The use of real-time measurement offers improved accuracy in assessing equipment-level performance and provides actionable data for forest managers aiming to reduce emissions through targeted equipment deployment and scheduling strategies. This research supports the advancement of carbon-efficient forestry practices aligned with operational and regulatory goals.
End of Conference Abstracts
For questions about specific presentations, please contact ben.spong@mail.wvu.edu.
