16.0523-0900 The Logging company

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@25.0512-1025.00 =ai= Duck.ai

@25.0512-1025.52 atx edit

@25.0812-1109.14 atx added image (direct copy/paste from my NiteCafe. 

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[  ]  PIC NEEDS WATERMARK

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Dear Marla, 

Sometimes I forget that this is a tree `farm'.

James: (smiling) Good morning, Thalia. I'm glad you're settling in nicely. I thought today might be a good day to show you what's happening out in the woods. The logging crew is here, and it's quite a sight to see.

Thalia: (curious) Oh, that sounds interesting! I've never seen a logging operation up close. What exactly are they doing out there?

James: This is a roving logging crew that moves from one tree farm to another to fell their trees and take them to market. They visit us about once a year and stay for a week or two. Basically, they do all of the work and we get a flat percentage of the sale. 

Thalia: (somewhat awed) Oh! That's a nice system -- especially for you! (chuckles). 

James: Well, it's a complex process, but I'll break it down for you. First, they start with the chainsaws. These aren't your average saws; they're powerful machines designed to cut through thick trunks of mature Douglas Firs such as we have. Some require two men to handle. The loggers have to be precise and skilled to ensure the trees fall in the right direction. It's an art, not a science. You never quite know how a tree will fall and, even if you think you do, you are wrong.

Thalia: That sounds dangerous. How do they manage it?

James: (emphatically) Dangerous? You had better believe it! Logging is considered to be The Number One most dangerous occupation in the world! In fact, one of the contract requirements is that we provide a space where a helicopter can land to take an injured worker to a hospital.   We have to use it every few years. 

Thalia: Wow! 

James: (nodding. continuing) Yeah, It is very dangerous, but they're well-trained and experienced. They use techniques like directional felling, where they make precise cuts to guide the tree's fall. It's all about control and planning. (pauses, then asks) Can you imagine the precision required to fell a tree that's over 100 feet tall?

Thalia: (impressed) That's incredible. What happens after the tree is down?

James: Once the tree is on the ground, they start trimming off the branches. This process is called limbing. They use smaller chainsaws and axes to remove the branches, leaving clean, straight logs. It's crucial to do this carefully to avoid damaging the logs. Most of the branches are thrown into a chipper which chops them up into tiny pieces to make plywood and other wood products. 

Thalia: (nodding) Makes sense. So, what comes next?

James: After trimming, the logs are sectioned into manageable pieces using a portable sawmill. These machines can quickly cut the logs into specific lengths. Then, the loggers use a skidder to drag the logs to trucks. This is a huge machine built to deal with rough terrain. The skidders this particular crew use have rubber tires taller than I am. There is a large grappling hook in the front and a heavy duty winch at the rear. 

Thalia: (intrigued) I thought I smelled diesel now and then! I can hear it now and then in addition to the screaming of chainsaws (or is it the trees?). That sounds like a lot of heavy machinery. How do they handle the terrain?

James: (smiling) That's a good question. The access roads are a critical part of the operation. They have to be wide and sturdy enough to accommodate the huge tractor-trailer trucks laiden with very heavy logs. The terrain is rough and uneven, with steep inclines and sharp turns. The trucks have to maneuver carefully to avoid tipping over or getting stuck in the mud. They bring bulldozers and other equipment to build roads and paths. 

Thalia: (concerned) That sounds challenging. What kinds of problems do they encounter?

James: (thoughtful) Well, last night's heavy rain turned some of the logging roads into muddy messes. I saw one of the trucks get stuck this morning. It was quite the spectacle—all that power and precision, and it still ended up looking like a beached whale in the mud. (chuckles) The crew had to use a skidder with a winch to pull it out. It took a good hour, but they managed it without any major issues. 

James: (thoughtful) The guy that runs the show once told me that nearly half of his operating costs were devoted to road-building and repair. They are u

loggingRN25.0819#03222.jpg

Thalia: (laughs) That sounds like quite the sight. What about turning around? How do the tractor-trailer trucks manage that on such narrow roads?

James: (grinning) Ah, that's a bit of an art form. Sometimes, they have to back up for what feels like miles to find a spot wide enough to turn around. Other times, they use a three-point turn, which involves a lot of careful maneuvering and a bit of luck. I've seen some impressive driving out here, let me tell you. (pauses, then asks) Ever seen a tractor-trailer do a dance?

Thalia: (laughs) I can't say I have. What happens when someone gets hurt out here?

James: (sobering) That's a serious question. Safety is a top priority, but accidents can happen. A few years back, one of the loggers had a close call with a falling branch. He ended up with a broken arm. The ambulance had a heck of a time getting to him. The roads were so rough that they had to call in a four-wheel-drive rescue vehicle to meet them halfway. It was a bit of a comedy of errors, but everyone pulled together, and he got the care he needed.

Thalia: (concerned) That sounds scary. How do they handle emergencies like that?

James: (nodding) We have a first-aid kit on site, and all the loggers are trained in basic first aid. But for serious injuries, we rely on the local emergency services. They're used to dealing with rough terrain out here. (pauses, then asks) What do you think might be some of the environmental concerns with this process?

Thalia: (thinking) I guess soil erosion and damage to the surrounding ecosystem could be issues.

James: (nodding) Exactly. The loggers have to be mindful of the environmental impact. They use best management practices, such asminimizing the size of the landing areas, using low-impact equipment, and replanting trees in harvested areas. It's all about balancing the need for timber with the health of the forest.

Thalia: (impressed) That's fascinating. I had no idea there was so much to it. What about the steep grades and rocks? How do they handle that?

James: (smiling) Ah, that's where things get really interesting. The forest here is on a grade, and in some places, it can be quite steep. There are rocks and ravines that add an extra layer of challenge. Let me tell you about a time when they had to haul a large log out of a ravine.

Thalia: (intrigued) I'm all ears.

James: (chuckles) Well, a few years ago, one of the loggers felled a massive Douglas Fir that rolled right into a ravine. The log was easily 50 feet long and several feet in diameter. It was stuck down there, and the truck was parked a hundred feet above on the road. The crew had to figure out how to get that log out without causing any more damage or putting anyone at risk.

Thalia: (impressed) That sounds like a real puzzle. How did they do it?

James: (grinning) It was quite the operation. They brought in a heavy-duty winch and a skidder with a long cable. The skidder was positioned on the road above, and they carefully lowered the cable down into the ravine. The loggers on the ground attached the cable to the log, and with a lot of careful maneuvering and a bit of muscle, they started to pull it up.

Thalia: (laughs) That sounds like a lot of grunt work. But keep in mind that a huge log like thqt  one is worth many thousands of dollars.  

James: (nodding) It was. The skidder operator had to be incredibly precise, making sure the log didn't get snagged on any rocks or trees on the way up. It was a slow process, but they managed to get the log to the top without any major issues. (pauses, then asks) What do you think might have happened if they hadn't been so careful?

Thalia: (thinking) I guess the log could have gotten stuck again, or worse, someone could have gotten hurt.

James: (nodding) Exactly. Safety is always the top priority. Fortunately, everyone was fine, and the log made it to the truck without a hitch. It was a good reminder of how important careful planning is in this line of work.

Thalia: (smiling) It's amazing to see how much thought and care goes into it. Thank you for explaining it all to me, James.

James: (warmly) You're very welcome, Thalia. I'm glad you're interested. It's important to understand the land and the work that goes into caring for it. (pauses, then asks) Speaking of which, did you know that the forest here is home to a variety of wildlife, including some rare species of birds and plants?

Thalia: (surprised) Really? I had no idea.

James: (nodding) Yes, it's quite remarkable. The loggers have to be mindful of the wildlife as well. They somtimes come across nests or habitats that need to be protected. It's a delicate balance between harvesting the timber and preserving the ecosystem. 

Thalia: (impressed) That's incredible. I never would have thought about all the different factors that go into managing a forest like this.

James: (smiling) It's a complex ecosystem, and every decision has an impact. For example, did you know that the Douglas Fir trees here have a unique relationship with  mycorrhizal fungi, which help the Douglas fir trees absorb water and nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, from the soil. The fungi extend the root system of the tree, increasing the surface area for nutrient absorption.? The fungus helps the trees absorb water and nutrients from the soil, and in return, the trees provide the fungus with sugars produced through photosynthesis.   

Thalia: (fascinated) That's amazing. I've never heard of that before.

James: (nodding) It's one of the many fascinating aspects of the forest. There is an enormous amount of surveying and pre-planning work even before the first chainsaw is fired up . Engineers will, for example, go through the forest to select trees for harvesting. They also survey the condition of the existing logging roads and create plans for their repair as well as build new ones. Environmental engineers are also deeply involved. it and to select various trees to harvest and  The loggers have to be aware of these relationships and take steps to protect them. For instance, they try to avoid  damaging certain rare wild lily and daisy plants which are endangered as well as the  mycorrhizal  funguses. they replant trees that will support the ecosystem. 

James: (paused for a breath): They want to minimize the damage to the mycorrhizal networks so that means there is a plan for the movement of the heavy equipment. 

Thalia: (smiling) It's like a big, interconnected web of life out here.

James: (grinning) Exactly. And speaking of interconnected webs, did you know that the forest here is also home to a variety of insects, including some that are essential for pollination? The loggers have to be careful not to disturb their habitats, as they play a crucial role in the ecosystem.

Thalia: (laughs) I had no idea there was so much going on in the forest. It's like a whole other world out here.

James: (nodding) It is.