Biomass removal study on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
Abstract
A study was installed on the George Washington National Forest to gather hardwood arvesting production data. The silvicultural prescription for the harvested unit was shelterwood with reserves. There was no biomass removal component included in this study. One purpose of this study was to gather baseline harvesting data for future comparisons of production impacts from harvesting similar stands with and without biomass included as a marketable product. The harvesting operation was comprised of traditional ground-based harvesting equipment (fellerbuncher and grapple skidder). The average felling cycle time was 55 seconds. The average production rate was 90 tons/productive machine hour. The average total travel distance per skidding cycle was 753 feet, with an average production rate of 45 tons/productive machinehour.