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. dollar|US$" target="_blank" >^*1.000.000.

Cut to length is the primary mean of logging in 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 disturbance 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.
• Higher Technology requires more knowledge for machines.

Logging | Forestry