Boise National Forest

Idaho City, Idaho

The demonstration took place in ponderosa pine stands on four different project areas located near Idaho City, Idaho. Pine stands were pre-commercially and commercially thinned using hand falling and tractor yarding. Approximately 18 to 45 tons per acre of slash was bundled. Terrain included a range of slopes from 0 to 75%. Potential uses for bundles include energy, compost, fire restoration structures, post and poles, and livestock bedding.

• Forest Residue Bundling Demonstration Announcement (PDF, 120 kb)

Pictures

The photos below display stands to be treated with the slash bundler, and slash bundles being forwarded to roadside loading locations. Slash bundles were generated from both piles and scattered slash on the ground.

Overhead picture of a young ponderosa pine stand before thinning showing the dense stand conditions.	A young ponderosa pine stand prior to thinning showing the dense stand conditions.
The stand was 40-year old ponderosa pine with an average of 90 trees per acre removed.	Slash bundles processed and ready for forwarding.
The field demonstration was well-attended.	Operations went very well on fresh cut (green) material. Sisal baling twine was used. The twine had to be at least 74 mm in diameter to create bundles that would hold up to the pressure following compression ring release.
Bundles were stacked in the woods prior to forwarding by a grapple skidder.	While the bundler demonstration was taking place, the Hot Creek Fire burns to the north of Idaho City.
John Deere 1490D "slashbundler" at work in young ponderosa pine stand.	John Deere forwarder at the landing.
This shows typical stand and site condition following thinning, bundling, and forwarding operations.

Comments

This is an excellent tool to get slash out of the woods on normal tractor ground. It only makes sense if there is a market to which this material could be sold. Without this market, the opportunity cost of the operation would be too high.

The bundler did not work well or at all in older dried out slash. This is unfortunate due to the ease with which material could be moved and utilized.

This was a unique opportunity and was very educational regarding utilization. The lesson learned was if there is a market, more of this type of work could be accomplished.

Contact

Leonard Roeber
Email: lroeber@fs.fed.us
Telephone: (208) 392-6681