Tag Archives: trees

Karelia

Segezha Group clears old-growth Karelia forests, endangering 1.5 million hectares of unique ecosystems

Karelia forests – Since late 2022, Segezha Group, a subsidiary of Russian AFK Sistema, has engaged in large-scale logging operations near Lake Maksimyärvi in Karelia, an area proposed for reserve status. Over one year, the company has cleared 1,700 hectares of old-growth forests with trees ranging from 150 to over 300 years old. These forests are home to 72 species listed in the Red Data Books of Russia and Karelia, including rare plants, fungi, and animals. Logging activities have destroyed six critical wildlife habitats and 73 documented sites of rare flora and fauna, as reported by Kedr.Media, which has been labelled a foreign agent by Russian authorities.

Until the fall of 2022, these forests were protected under a moratorium agreed upon by Segezha Group and FSC. However, FSC’s withdrawal from Russia and the loss of European markets led Segezha to abandon its commitments. Between June and November 2022, the company removed 1.5 million hectares of old-growth forests in Karelia from protection. These areas include sites intended for reserves such as Kuzharvi, Lakes Nyuk, Vygozersky-2, and Zaonezhsky.

Scientific research emphasizes the critical role of old-growth forests in carbon storage and climate regulation. A study titled “Large Trees Dominate Carbon Storage in Forests East of the Cascade Crest in the United States Pacific Northwest” revealed that large trees, constituting just 3% of total forest stems, account for up to 42% of stored carbon. Logging such trees not only releases significant CO2 but also undermines ecosystem resilience.

In Karelia, old-growth forests represent only 12% of the total forest cover, equivalent to 10% of the republic’s land area. These ecosystems are vital for biodiversity and support rare species, such as the northern reindeer. The Maksimyärvi area, with an average tree age exceeding 150 years, is considered a unique natural asset.

Delays in formalizing protections for these areas exacerbate the problem. While documentation to designate Maksimyärvi as a reserve was submitted in 2023, legal protection has yet to be implemented. Environmentalists appealed to the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office in April 2023 to halt logging, citing Ministry of Natural Resources Order No. 264, which mandates the preservation of habitats for species listed in the Red Data Books. Despite this, logging continues.

Nikolay Shmatkov, director of the Lesnoy Etalon certification system created by former FSC staff after its exit from Russia, confirmed to Lesprom Network that Segezha Group is logging in proposed reserves, including Maksimyärvi. “This is not an isolated incident, other reserves face similar threats,” Shmatkov stated. “The law requires forest users to identify and protect habitats of rare and endangered species, such as the northern reindeer in Maksimyärvi, yet these obligations are not being met.”

To read previous Segezha Group posts click here.

 


Follow IFI on Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Hancock Lumber

Hancock Lumber to acquire Madison Lumber Mill

Two of New England’s top performing eastern white pine manufacturing facilities will join forces reports LBM Journal, as Hancock Lumber has announced its plans to acquire Madison Lumber Mill. Hancock Lumber’s eastern white pine operations will expand to four mills with its first sawmill acquisition in over 20 years.

While Hancock Lumber will be purchasing Madison Lumber Mill following an expected Sept. 30 closing date, the Madison, New Hampshire based location will continue to operate under the Madison Lumber Mill name. The plan is to keep Madison Lumber’s employees, manufacturing systems, customer relations, and products unchanged.

“The addition of Madison Lumber is filled with synergy for both companies. The current owners, Kim Moore and Jim Smith, have built an exceptional company. When you find caring owners that are looking for an exit strategy that can preserve and perpetuate their love for their business, employees, industry, and customers — well, it’s a win-win,” said Hancock Lumber CEO, Kevin Hancock. “Hancock and Madison combine to offer a dynamic set of capabilities within the eastern white pine industry for log suppliers, customers, and employees. This is a rare opportunity, and we are excited to maximize its full potential for the benefit of everyone associated with both companies. Our commitment to eastern white pine takes a long view and this partnership enhances that view.”

Located an hour west of Hancock Lumber’s headquarters in Casco, Maine, Madison Lumber Mill is estimated to be the sixth largest manufacturer of eastern white pine. In addition to producing pine boards and products, the company operates a significant wholesale division. Current co-owners, Kim Moore and Jim Smith purchased the former International Paper mill in 2001. Hancock Lumber last acquired an eastern white pine operation when the company purchased the Chadbourne Sawmill in Bethel, Maine in 2000.

Adding this fourth mill to its portfolio will make Hancock Lumber the largest eastern white pine producer in the United States, the company says, expanding not only their manufacturing capacity, but also their talent with the addition of Madison Lumber Mill’s sales, operations, and log procurement teams. General Manager John Fuller, along with all of Madison Lumber Mill’s employees, will remain part of the team while current owners Moore and Smith will remain during a transitional period.

For other Acquisition related posts click here.


Follow IFI on Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

FinnMetko 2022

John Deere Forestry oy – in the spotlight at the Finnmetko 2022 exhibition

John Deere Forestry Oy has been meeting logging customers’ needs for the past 50 years. The company’s commitment to the development of logging solutions has created many pioneering, productivity-enhancing innovations that make the customers’ work easier. At the exhibition they will showcase the 1010G, 1110G, 1210G and 1510G forwarders, as well as the 1070G harvester with the H212 harvester head, the 1170G 6W with the H424 harvester head, the 1170G 8W with the H423 harvester head, the 1270G 8W with the H425 harvester head, the 1270G 8W with the H424 head, and the 1470G 6W harvester with the H425 harvester head. They will also showcase the TimberMaticTM Maps and TimberManagerTM applications. New in the spotlight are the advanced map layers and a logging plan tool.

Amazingly precise terrain layouts for machine operator and logging plan needs

Logging will now have a completely new dimension with the new map layers in the TimberMatic Maps application. The new, smart map layers have been developed specifically for the needs of forest machine contractors and machine operators. Previously, TimberMatic Maps served primarily forwarder operators because of the data collected by harvester’s sensors and the precise location of the felled trees. The new map layers provide the harvester operator with clear advance information about the terrain and the tree species at the logging site.

The map layers enable interesting and high-quality work planning. The map layers facilitate in the drafting of logging plans and in everyday logging in the planning of the driving route network and the direction of the driving routes, enabling also smooth forwarder operations. The information about the terrain’s contours, moisture, tree stand length and different tree species adds interest to the harvester operator’s work. Data-based planning streamlines the work, increases the profitability of logging and helps to carry out the work in a biodiversity-friendly way. Also, the driving distances in the forest are optimized to be as economical as possible, thereby reducing fuel consumption.

TimberMaticTM Maps and TimberManagerTM have been standard features in all new John Deere G-series harvesters and forwarders since autumn 2018. Customers always receive updated versions of the applications, free of charge. The system can be retrofitted also to older machines that meet the equipment requirements.

The maps have several layers, which can also be used as overlays in planning the work.

Notifications of forest use and Tree species map

Notifications of the forest use combined with a tree species map provides a good basis for planning natural locations for groups of retention trees or for game thickets. Information about the tree stands outside the logging area facilitates the harvester operator when approaching the logging area boundary. The tree species map also shows the driving routes of previous thinnings.

Terrain map with oblique view and Storage suitability map

The map shows the contours of the terrain. The terrain map with oblique view combined with the Storage suitability map displays the areas best suited for roadside storage.

Driveability map

In addition to moisture, the map also highlights the steep slopes. The map makes it easy to assess the suitability of logging during summer, e.g., or to select the best driving routes during logging and to plan the driving route network.

Visibility map

The map provides advance information about the need to clear the stand.

Length of trees

The map shows the length of the trees, right down to an individual tree. The length map also shows the driving routes of previous thinnings.

Thinning removal

The map shows the number of trees compared to optimum growing density. The colour scale indicates the need for thinning at the site.

Tree data

In the preplanning of the logging site and in scheduling, the tree cover of the area to be harvested is essential. The map shows the total volume and the cubic volume of the area to be harvested by tree species (fir, pine and hardwood). The type of logging (final felling, first thinning, second thinning, or thinning to extend the rotation) can be specified on the map and can show with considerable precision the estimated removal by a selected type of logging.

The advanced map layers are updated free of charge in the TimberMatic Maps software and in the TimberManager cloud service. John Deere Forestry customers in Finland are the first to benefit from the use of the new map layers developed specifically for the needs of machine contractors. The maps cover the entire area of Finland.

Assistive logging site planning tool

John Deere Forestry also offers its customers an advanced tool for logging site planning; the tool facilitates the use of a wide range of information provided by several different map layers. The logging site planning tool in the TimberMatic Maps facilitates the implementation of the logging plans made in TimberManager. If a logging plan hasn’t been made in advance, it can be drawn directly in the TimberMatic Maps application. Once the area has been drawn, the entire logging site’s tree species and total volumes can be viewed and the removal estimate adjusted.

The tool’s guided planning steps support the operator in decisions on thinning and final felling, making the logging faster and of better quality. Good planning of the storage sites and the more precise timing of the produced timber species distribution streamlines the entire production and logistics chain. The machine utilization rate improves and planning the operator’s own work is easier. Preplanning the driving routes reduces the driving distances and fuel consumption, and natural sites are taken into better consideration.

The logging site planning tool will be added to the TimberMatic Maps application in September-October and to TimberManager at a later date.

IBC, a forest machine technology milestone, is already on version 3.0

John Deere’s Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) is available for all John Deere WCTL forest machines. IBC was first introduced in 2013. The latest version, IBC 3.0, introduces several operator-assist features that guide operators to the correct work methods, increase productivity and improve the machine’s resale value.

  • Harvester head over-rotation prevention protects against hose damage
  • Feed assist guides the operator to avoid feeding stems towards the machine or the cabin

The feed function significantly slows down when feeding stems towards the machine and stops when encountering a defined safety zone. Saw assist guides the operator to avoid sawing towards the cabin. The harvester head’s over-rotation prevention protects against hose damage. The operator-assist features and the functions that guide operators to the correct work methods also protect the machine from external damage, decrease maintenance costs and improve the machine’s resale value. IBC 3.0 is available for 1270G (H425, H425HD and H424) and 1470G (H425 and H425HD) harvester models.

The latest IBC 3.0 version is again a technology milestone because it enables the launch of future intelligent functions that facilitate the operator’s work and improve productivity.

Presenting the new single extension folding jib boom

The XE folding boom is equipped with a single extension and external hosing; it is available for CF5, CF7 and CF7S 8.5 m loaders of small and mid-size forwarders.

The structure is simple and durable, with minimal welds and bolt holes. The good geometry of the boom makes it easy to control, and the newly positioned lights under the extension increase visibility to the boom tip. The boom is narrow and flat-sided so it doesn’t damage the trees left standing. The folding jib boom’s hose routing is also better protected. Because of the Y-link shackle, the hoses from the boom to the rotator and grapple are routed inside the extension. There are no external hose loops. Productivity is also improved, thanks to the excellent tractive force of 2850 kg. The extension will be available for sale in autumn 2022, and production will start in winter 2022-2023.

XI folding jib boom for small and mid-size forwarders

The XI folding jib boom is equipped with a hidden hose extension and is available for small and mid-size forwarders 910G, 1010G, 1110G, 1210G and 1510G. The boom’s maximum reach is 10 m. The folding jib booms for older CF7 and CF7S loaders can be replaced with the new XI folding jib boom.

Further information: Elina Suuriniemi Communication Specialist John Deere Forestry Oy Tel. +358 400 466 476 SuuriniemiElina@JohnDeere.com

For other John Deere related posts click here.

For FinnMetko related posts click here.


Follow IFI on Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

800 MH-Series

John Deere introduces Intelligent Boom Control on 800 MH-Series Tracked Harvesters

Following the introduction of Intelligent Boom Control technology on to the John Deere 900 MH-Series Tracked Harvesters earlier this year, John Deere has introduced Intelligent Boom Control on to its 800 MH-Series Tracked Harvesters.

Now available on the 803MH, 853MH, and 858MH models, Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) technology is a boom tip guidance technology that improves consistent boom motion and speed throughout the harvesting envelope.

What is Intelligent Boom Control?

  • Recently making its debut on the 900 MH-Series Tracked Harvester machines and now available on the 803MH, 853MH, and 858MH models, Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) technology is a boom tip guidance technology that improves consistent boom motion and speed throughout the harvesting envelope.

  • Operators can control the boom tip and attachment position directly with one joystick instead of each independent boom cylinder function.

  • The automation logic commands boom and jib functions simultaneously by monitoring special sensors in the boom cylinders.

  • This technology also helps the operator maintain constant boom speed during parallel motion at any boom reach.

  • IBC technology automatically adjusts swing speed and boom tip trajectory depending on working height, terrain, and work cycle requirements.


Intelligent Boom Control Benefits

  • IBC technology promotes a reduced learning curve for new operators by providing intuitive operator assistance.

  • The faster cycle times and more precise control require less finesse and hand-eye coordination for the operator.

  • Tree damage is greatly reduced, especially during thinning applications.

  • This technology also offers increased machine and attachment life by actively dampening all functions, protecting boom structure during operation.

  • IBC also provides precise positioning of cut stems for use in TimberMatic Maps.


Availability

  • 800 MH-Series Tracked Harvesters with Intelligent Boom Control technology are available for order now.

For more information about Intelligent Boom Control, please visit www.deere.com/en/tracked-harvesters/ or contact your local dealer.

To read other John Deere related posts click here.

 


Follow IFI on Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Molpus Woodlands Group

Molpus Woodlands Group Purchases 117,773 Acres in East Texas and Northwest Louisiana

Jackson, Mississippi—The Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC (Molpus), a timberland investment management organization headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, has, on behalf of a client, successfully purchased approximately 117,773 acres of timberland in east Texas and northwest Louisiana from clients of Manulife Investment Management.

Located in eight counties in east Texas and eight parishes in northwest Louisiana, the property consists of well-managed, high-quality timberlands with over 75 years of commercial management.  With a large inventory of quality timber, Molpus believes these properties provide an opportunity for steady and significant cash flow due to the access to broad timber markets representing a diverse spectrum of pulp, paper, lumber, and panel producers across this region. Molpus’s vertically integrated management team will be responsible for the management of the timberlands, including volume commitments under beneficial long-term supply agreements and opportunistic open market timber sales.

Molpus plans to include these timberlands in its certification with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® standard, which includes key measures to protect biodiversity, sustainable harvest levels, water quality, protection of at-risk species, wildlife habitat, and regeneration.  Molpus’s forest certification program is a key element of its commitment to incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies and practices into investment analysis and decision-making.

“Timberlands have historically provided attractive returns and cash yields while providing steady biological growth in the trees and a positive correlation to inflation,” said Bob Lyle, President of Molpus. “We intend to continue our proven sustainable forest management practices with these properties, while seeking new and creative opportunities to maximize the investment’s long-term return potential.”

“As a long-time timberland manager in the states of Louisiana and Texas, we are pleased to add these properties to areas where we already have a strong presence,” said Ken Sewell, Chief Operating Officer of Molpus. “We look forward to using our existing expertise in managing these high-quality assets as long-term, timber investments for our client while incorporating our history of forest sustainability and stewardship.”

About Molpus

The Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC (Molpus) acquires, manages, and sells timberland as an investment vehicle for pension funds, college endowments, foundations, insurance companies, and high-net-worth individual investors. Molpus currently manages approximately 1.7 million acres of timberland investments in 15 states. Molpus incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies and practices into investment analysis and decision-making. Molpus believes its strong ESG performance has positive implications for the environment and the future of Molpus. Molpus was founded in 1996 as a timber investment management organization (TIMO) and has a company legacy dating back to 1905. Molpus is one of the oldest timber-related companies in the United States.

 


Follow IFI on Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

russian operations

Metsä Group’s Russian operations driven down

Metsä Group press release 3 March 2022

Metsä Group’s only plant in Russia, the Svir sawmill, has been suspended. Wood procurement in Russia for Svir sawmill and Metsä Group’s Finnish and Swedish factories has also been driven down.

METSÄ GROUP
Inquiries:
Juha Laine, Communications Director, Metsä Group, tel. +358 10 465 4541

Metsä Group
www.metsagroup.fi

See other companies temporarily discontinuing operations with Russia here.