This study is one in a series of case studies being undertaken by the FAO Forest Harvesting and Transport Branch as part of its efforts to promote environmentally sound and sustainable forest practices in both natural and plantation forests. The main objective of these case studies is to document successful operations which have the potential to improve forest utilization, reduce wood waste in the forests, and minimize environmental impacts associated with harvesting operations. This report documents a study on the use of construction crane for wood extraction in mountainous terrain in Austria, providing information on the advantages and limitations of this type of low impact harvesting system. The aim of this study is to draw attention to forest harvesting specialists in countries where an abundance of building cranes exist which could be favourably employed for forest operations in areas with good road development standards and where special silvicultural prescriptions have to be applied such as those safeguarding advanced forest regeneration and extracting single tree stems in selective cuts from old growth forests. The study proposed that extracting tree length stems or whole trees proved technically feasible with little or no damage to the younger trees of the remaining stand as well as to the soil. The study also provides indicative figures on productivity and costs, along with suggestions for possible use in combination with wood processors.

Type of Case
Printed publication (book, sourcebook, journal article…)

Publisher
FAO

Region
Europe

Biome
Temperate

Forest Type
All forest types (natural and planted)

Primary Designated Function
Production