Cut-to-length logging

Cut-to-length logging (CTL) is a system for mechanized forestry harvesting where trees are delimbed and cut to length directly at the stump area. CTL is typically a two man, two machine operation with a harvester felling, delimbing and bucking trees and a forwarder that transports the logs from the felling to a landing area close to a road accessible by trucks.

The capital costs for a typical CTL operation, with one harvester and one forwarder, are quite high. The price of the machines alone are approx. US$1.000.000.

CTL is used in the Nordic countries, while full tree logging is more popular in North America and less developed countries.

Advantages compared to full tree logging

• Cleaner wood since the logs are not skidded on the ground to the landing.
• More fresh wood.
• Less damage to residual trees in thinning operations.
• Typically requires less types of machines in an operation.
• No requirement to clear cut large landings close to the road.
• More environmental friendly due to:
  • less soil damage than in skidding operations.
  • possibility to have small area clear cuts with good economy.
  • no slash dumped at the landing.

Disadvantages compared to full tree logging

• Somewhat higher capital cost per cubic metre when used in large scale clear cuts.
• Requires more well trained workers.