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by Erica Heilman Summer 2019 The Resilient Forest

Part 1: Logging by Hand

Part 1: Logging by Hand
Photo Credit: NHTOA

One of the significant changes in the culture and economy of the northern forest has been the transition from small-scale logging to mechanized logging. Talking with a handful of cable-and-skidder loggers in northeastern Vermont and adjoining New Hampshire, audio producer Erica Heilman discovers what makes them different — and learns about the intimate relationship between a forested region and the people who work there.

The Resilient Forest Series - Part 1

Our special thanks go to the Emily Landecker Foundation, the Dorr Foundation, the Davis Conservation Foundation, the Larsen Fund, Melinda Richmond, and the Samuel P. Hunt Foundation for their support of this work.

by Erica Heilman

© 2019 by the author; this article may not be copied or reproduced without the author's consent.

Visit the The Resilient Forest archive.

Discussion *

“
May 30, 2019

Erica as always did a wonderful job of getting the truth as told by those who live it. If being able and willing to do hard work isn’t considered a skill, it sure as hell is the sweaty cousin next to it. The able man with his feet on the ground and a chainsaw in his hand is going the way of the cowboy. Just as the dairy farmer has gone to being a milk factory, the logger has gone to sitting in a cab twisting joysticks. To only see the forest through the glass of a mechanical harvester is the fate of today’s volume oriented logger. The only connection to the tree he has is through a mechanical arm. The concern for the land is overshadowed by his concern for where he’s going to keep his high priced equipment producing enough to pay the bills. There are advantages that are gained by the high volume logging equipment. But as Erica’s old school loggers testified, there may also be some things lost as well.

Bill Torrey
“
May 30, 2019

Excellent—it was a pleasure to listen to these loggers who care about the work and the land. As a forester who’s been working with loggers and landowners for over 50 years it saddens me to see the old ways fade. I remember the last horse loggers in my area and how sad they were to see the damage skidders did, damage that still, over 40 years later, is still readily apparent. When three men can do the work of ten or twelve, does anyone really care what happens to to those surplus people?

Thanks to all involved in producing this piece.

 

 

Charlie Schwarz

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