Logging residue chipping options for short rotation poplar plantations

Short rotation poplar plantations grow on flat and even terrain, the interrow spacing is wide enough for easy machine access. If terrain firm enough, one may consider moving classic roadside chipping operation directly into field (i.e., chipping), thus saving wood extraction cost. This study compared efficiency cost of conducted with exactly same equipment, to assess benefits offered by versatile deployment a standard operation, whereby can be moved inside stand whenever conditions are suitable. The was at 12 sample plots, containing about truck load chips each approximately 11 bone-dry tons or BDT). Plots were arranged as alternate windrows 8.5 ha field. Data collected whole supply chain, from factory. factory located 14 km Delivered 53 € BDT-1 70 chipping, respectively, i.e., 1/3 more expensive than if latter included additional forwarding residues roadside. chipper-truck used test could not cope small scattered residue piles (32 BDT ha-1), cumbersome reposition maneuver became main hurdle efficient operation. Further improvements might achieved pre-bunching residues, introducing dedicated chipper bundling taking bundles centralized chipping.