Logging Cost as Related to Tree Size and Intensity of Cutting in Ponderosa Pine

In the Blacks Mountain Experimental Forest, California, lighter cutting than is commonly attempted in ponderosa pine has been practiced since 1937 without seriously increasing logging costs over those in heavy cutting. This paper reports costs in man-minutes per unit of output for a wide range of intensities of cutting and tree size. Frown observations of log-making output per crew-day and yarding and loading time per load, time is allocated to individual trees and logs by regression analysis. The records needed are inexpensive to collect and the results obtained are sensitive to differences in tree size, crews, equipment, and intensity of cutting.