Today, anyone can buy a chainsaw, walk into the woods, and cut down a tree, but does this make them a logger?  Simply cutting down a tree does not make a person a logger, much less a trained logger.  Using trained loggers is vital to sustaining Missouri’s forests, both today and tomorrow. 

     The State of Missouri has determined the importance of trained loggers.  Since 2000, the Missouri Department of Conservation has required loggers to complete the Professional Timber Harvester (PTH) Program, a five day training session sponsored by Missouri Forest Products Association (MFPA), before they harvest timber on state owned land.  Many foresters recommend using trained loggers on private land as well.  “It is very important to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to be able to work with loggers that have gone through the PTH Program,” said John Tuttle, Forestry Field Program Supervisor for the Forest Products program at MDC.  “These individuals have been trained on the importance of good forest management and they become a partner in ensuring sustainability of the forest.”

     The PTH Program is designed to educate the logger, skidder operator, forester, forest contractor, and landowner in sustaining forest resources.  PTH trained loggers are taught how to harvest timber safely and professionally, while protecting the forest ecology and wildlife.

     “Professional timber harvesting is a vital part of Missouri’s 4.32 billion dollar forest products industry,” said Brian Brookshire, MFPA’s Executive Director.  “Professionally trained loggers must take into account complex business concerns including productivity, safety, and environmental issues.  Decisions they make today impacts our forests for many decades to come, and the PTH Program gives them the training to make these important decisions.”

     The PTH Program, offered throughout the year, is broken down into five sessions taught on five different days.   The sessions are spaced out to allow the logging professional time to incorporate what is taught into their daily schedule before moving on to the next level.

     Forest Management is covered on the first day of the program.  Taught by a professional forester, this session deals with Best Management Practices (BMPs), managing for long term profitability, forest ecology, and wildlife.  BMPs are activities that eliminate or reduce impact on soil erosion and other environmental effects.  They have been developed to inform persons involved in forest land management about the importance of reducing non-point source water pollution and sedimentation of streams.  The Forest Management portion contains information on stream side zones, stream crossing, access roads and their construction, water bar construction, forest health, and reforestation.  This information is essential when developing a plan for good forest management.

      The cutting sessions, Levels I through IV, are taught by MFPA’s Logging Trainer, Joe Glenn.  Joe has been the association’s instructor for several years.  He was trained under international logging expert, Soren Eriksson, MFPA’s former PTH Trainer, and the founder of “The Game of Logging” organization.  The class size is limited to provide one on one instruction.  Each participant fells a tree in Levels 1 through 4 using techniques taught in class. 

     During the Level I session, Joe gives the loggers an overview on the “Game of Logging”, MFPA, the future of forestry, and safety.  The class is then given instruction on proper protective equipment, OSHA requirements, first aid, and the open face felling method. “Safety is high priority in the PTH Program,” said Joe Glenn.  “It goes without saying that safety cannot be stressed enough.  The PTH training saves lives every day.”  Missouri Wood Industry Insurance Trust (MWIIT), an MFPA endorsed carrier for workmans’ compensation insurance relies heavily on MFPA’s PTH program to instill an attitude of safety in Missouri loggers.  Trust Administrator, Darin Crisman added, “Logging claims can be very severe and our injury rate mirrors data which suggests logging is one of the most hazardous jobs in the U.S.  According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, logging fatality rate is 21 times higher than the fatality rate for all workers in the U.S.” 

      The Level II session begins with a review of information taught in the Level I session, but expands into teaching the use of felling wedges, saw maintenance and filing, directional felling, delimbing, and bucking techniques.  “Directional felling of trees protects the standing forest,” said Glenn. “Proper cutting techniques, such as notching, hinging of the trees, and proper wedge use, not only help in the cutting process, but also saves the standing timber from damage which will be harvested at a later date.”

     The Level III class instruction includes calculation of tree height and lean limits, wedging calculations, delimbing techniques, and precision felling.

     The Level IV session begins with a review of previous classes followed by discussion on different types of logging situations, advanced delimbing and felling techniques, and planning efficient harvest layouts.

     When Level IV is completed, the loggers are scored and upon passing they are awarded a certificate of completion.  “In the PTH Program, I try to stress three things,” said Glenn.  “I stress the importance of safety, proper cutting techniques to ensure good forest management, and professionalism.  Logging is a profession that is very valuable to the forest products industry in Missouri.”

     In order to maintain their certification, the logger must attend one day of continuing education each year.  This requirement can be met by attending classes provided by MFPA or other approved sources.  Continuing education classes such as Forest Practices, Progressive Cutting, CPR & First Aid, Accounting Practices, and Insurance are some of the courses offered to help keep the logger up to date on safety and logging techniques in addition to helping them with their business needs.

     Missouri Forest Products Association’s mission is to encourage the wise use and conservation of our nation’s natural resources and promote the business of all forest-related industries and encourage closer working relationships among forest products firms, forest owners, producers, and harvesters.  The PTH Program is just one way in which the association helps further that mission.  Annually, approximately 60 people complete the PTH program with a total of 260 since the inception of the program.  “Professional loggers share the responsibility with landowners and foresters to help ensure Missouri’s renewable forests can be sustained for this century and beyond,” Brookshire said. 

     MFPA produces an automated Trained Logger Directory that is available to the public through their web site.  For more information on forest management, the Professional Timber Harvester Program, or to get a printed version of the Trained Logger Directory, visit the MFPA web site at www.moforest.org or call the MFPA office at (573) 634-3252.

    Article by:  Brian Brookshire, Missouri Forest Products Association   

      Top of the Ozarks RC&D Forestry Committee http://www.morcd.org/totorcd/ 

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