Mechanical Land Preparation

Mechanical Land Preparation is undertaken if required to address weed competition, slash deposits (from the prior forestry cycle), compacted soil and poor drainage to improve tree growth and reduce crop mortality, and to mitigate the risks of soil movement and sedimentation.

-  Erosion on steep land
-  Sedimentation
-  Indigenous vegetation disturbance
-  Reduces soil compaction
-  Targets drainage to safe areas
-  Improves continuing site productivity.

Planting

Planting is usually done manually, although mechanical tree planters may be used where site conditions permit.

Pruning and Thinning

Pruning and thinning are usually done manually. Pruning reduces the prevalence of knots in the wood. Thinning a crop reduces competition for sunlight, water and soil nutrients, allowing the remaining trees to grow more quickly. Pruned material (slash) is typically left on the ground for weed and erosion control.

-  Slash provides weed and erosion control 
-  Heavy rainfall may mobilise slash which can enter waterways causing hazards to infrastructure and scouring of waterways 

Harvesting

Harvesting involves felling trees, extracting them, processing them into logs, and loading the logs onto trucks for transportation. Clear felling (felling the entire stand of trees) is the most common type of harvesting in New Zealand.

-  Erosion
-  Sedimentation
-  Indigenous vegetation disturbance
-  Slash 

Earthworks

Earthworks are undertaken to construct and maintain access roads, processing areas, landings, firebreaks and river and stream crossings.

-  Erosion
-  Sedimentation
-  Indigenous vegetation disturbance
-  Targets drainage to safe areas
-  Facilitates harvest layout to reduce effects associated with log extraction