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Introduction

Forest operations include regeneration harvests, thinning, pruning, timber stand improvement, site preparation, planting, prescribed fire, vegetation control, and fertilization. The methods, materials, and systems used to transform the forest are the technology of forest operations.

Forest operations are designed to meet management needs. For example, ecological requirements for natural regeneration in a particular forest type may include certain light levels, soil conditions, and seed-source spacing. These ecological requirements translate into the prescription for the forest operation. For example, the stand must be opened up to a certain density; stems must be selectively removed based on size, species, and spacing; and the soil litter layer should be disturbed for seed catch, but not compacted. These requirements define the technology that is needed to meet management objectives.

Forest operations technology is also shaped by the requirements of forest industry. Product form from the woods must be compatible with the handling equipment at the receiving mill. Minimum specifications, such as small-end diameter, define the way trees are cut to length. Developments in forest products transportation, mill processes, and products affect the requirements of forest operations. Changes in the forest products industry may lead to new constraints or opportunities for work in the woods.

Available technology defines the possibilities of forest management and forest products by limiting the feasibility of operations. Generally, forest operations are limited by terrain, piece size, productivity, or costs. Increased effort (longer distances, handling more pieces, steep slopes, wetter ground) translates into greater cost per unit of production or per acre. The fundamental question facing the forest manager is whether the prescribed operation is both technically and economically feasible.

The current condition of southern forests, in part, reflects forest operations technology of the past. The mosaic of managed and unmanaged forested areas is partially a result of the technical and economical limits of previous forest operations. The network of roads and skidtrails on the forested landscape resulted in part from limitations on extraction distance and terrain. Stand composition of regenerated acres reflects the past site preparation and stand establishment techniques. Similarly, future landscapes of southern forests will be an expression of the capabilities and limitations of today’s technology. Understanding the role of technology in shaping forest conditions will help predict the future of the southern forest resource.

This chapter documents current southern forest operations and describes the interaction among forest operations technology, management practices, and forest condition.