Winter 2025 ERI Newsletter – Forest Operations and Biomass Utilization – Field Notes

ERI’s Forest Operation and Biomass Utilization team is planning a new study to address the operational and ecological challenges associated with conventional slash management in whole-tree (WT) harvest operations. Commonly used in the Southwest, WT harvesting often results in large open-pile burns that contribute to atmospheric pollution from smoke emissions, increased fire risk, and altered soil chemistry. At a fuels reduction project near Marshall Lake, outside of Flagstaff, AZ, a cut-to-length (CTL) harvest system is currently being implemented. The proposed study will evaluate the productivity, cost, and feasibility of using CTL systems with broadcast chipping and mastication to process forest biomass directly on site. This innovative approach may offer an alternative option for mechanical fuels reduction thinning treatments in the Southwest, which help reduce the need for large landings, eliminate slash piles requiring burning, and provide valuable insights to improve the efficiency and sustainability of forest restoration operations.