RUBBER NEWS

Rubber Wood Harvesting Techniques

Posted on by content02.vinahugo
13
Oct

Efficient and sustainable rubber wood harvesting requires careful planning, technical precision, and strict adherence to safety and environmental standards. The following guidelines, based on the Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) regulations, outline the process from pre-harvest preparation to post-harvest restoration.

1. Pre-Harvest Preparation

1.1. Harvest Planning

  • Medium- and long-term plans: Define the harvesting and replanting schedule to ensure consistent productivity and sustainable rotation cycles.

  • Annual plan: Approved by the VRG Board of Directors based on proposals from member units and technical evaluations by the forestry division.

1.2. Harvest Design

a) Exclusion Zones

  • Identify and map areas to be excluded from harvesting, such as high conservation value forests, riverbanks, and watershed protection zones.

b) Harvesting Zones

  • Mark cutting plots, tree rows to be felled, and trees to be retained.

  • Conduct field measurements for diameter, height, and merchantable volume.

  • Calculate timber and firewood yield.

c) Felling Direction

  • Trees should fall toward open gaps between rows or downslope.

  • For trees leaning over 10°, the natural leaning direction is preferred.

d) Extraction Road Network

  • Prioritize existing inter-block roads; avoid steep, eroded, or unstable terrain.

  • If crossing streams is unavoidable, build temporary bridges or culverts.

e) Timber Storage Yards

  • Select dry, open, and accessible areas with good drainage for log storage.

f) Camps, Guard Posts, and Signage

  • Camps should be near the harvest area, with clean water and flat terrain.

  • Install warning signs and guards to prevent accidents.

  • Camps must not be built inside the active felling area.

1.3. Site Preparation

a) Handover of Harvest Area

  • Officially hand over the approved harvest design, maps, and boundaries.

  • Record handover details in official documentation.

b) Camp Setup

  • Clear deadwood, dig drainage channels, and create waste disposal pits.

  • Ensure proper water supply and sanitation facilities.

c) Log Yard Setup

  • Clear all shrubs and debris, maintain good drainage, and prevent fire hazards.

2. Felling, Extraction, and Transport

2.1. Tree Felling

a) Pre-Felling Checks

  • Verify all protective equipment, tools, and safety signals.

  • Confirm felling direction and prepare escape paths.

  • Use wedges or cables to control felling direction if needed.

b) Cutting Techniques

  • Stump height: as low as possible (≤½ trunk diameter).

  • Notch cut (face cut): toward the felling direction, depth = ¼–⅓ diameter.

  • Back cut: made slightly above the notch cut, leaving a hinge wood (≈1/10 diameter) to control the fall.

  • For trees with complex lean, adjust hinge shape (trapezoidal) and use tools like wedges or winches.

  • Hung-up trees must be removed immediately using mechanical pulling; never cut supporting trees.

2.2. Limbing and Bucking

  • Cut limbs safely from base to top, starting from the upper slope side.

  • For bent limbs, cut the compressed side first to avoid splitting.

  • If tree tops fall into streams, clear immediately to restore water flow.

  • Bucking (sectioning) should follow the log quality and buyer requirements, maximizing value.

2.3. Timber Extraction

  • Use only designated extraction routes and respect exclusion areas.

  • Prefer short log transport to minimize soil disturbance.

  • Use protective gear and follow VRG safety protocols.

  • Record harvested timber in official forest product inventory forms.

2.4. Loading and Transportation

  • Sort and stack logs by type and purpose.

  • Do not leave logs in the field for more than two days.

  • Shade log ends to prevent cracking under sunlight.

  • During transport, load logs securely and avoid overloading.

  • Fuel and maintenance waste must be collected properly to prevent water pollution.

3. Post-Harvest Operations

3.1. Site Cleanup

  • Remove remaining broken trees, branches, and debris.

  • Clean all watercourses and buffer zones.

  • Restore clear land for the next replanting phase.

3.2. Environmental Restoration

  • Repair erosion-prone areas, remove construction waste, and clear blocked streams.

  • Remove temporary bridges and return access roads to a safe condition.

  • Prevent fire hazards by eliminating combustible materials.

4. Safety, Health, and Fire Prevention

4.1. Worker Welfare

  • Camps must include first-aid kits, firefighting equipment, and sanitary toilets.

  • Regular cleaning, mosquito control, and proper waste segregation are required.

  • Provide sealed waste bins and dispose of waste responsibly.

4.2. Worker Safety Training

  • Workers must wear helmets, gloves, boots, ear protection, and safety suits.

  • Only trained personnel are allowed to operate chainsaws or heavy machinery.

  • Conduct first-aid and fire-safety training regularly.

4.3. Fire Prevention

  • Designate no-fire zones near fuel storage and machine areas.

  • Maintain fire extinguishers, sand buckets, and water tanks in good condition.

  • Cooking fires must be controlled and fully extinguished after use.

  • No open burning is allowed in felling zones.

Conclusion

Rubber wood harvesting, when conducted responsibly, not only maximizes wood value but also ensures soil conservation, worker safety, and environmental protection.
These procedures reflect Vietnam’s growing commitment to sustainable forest management and circular resource useunder the VINAHUGO Forestry standards.