Forest Roads: Standards, Density, Timing and Costs

Authors: C.G.R. Chavasse
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1967, Issue N.Z.J.For. 12(2) 1967, pp 125-144, Aug 1967
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

---

Abstract: The question of when to establish roads formed to a standard suitable for logging is discussed on the basis of costs derived from forest operations in Southland and Otago, New Zealand. It is calculated that, for fast growing species, provision of tracks at time of establishment is false economy. It is concluded that for radiata pine crops roads should be established immediately before planting and that they should be on grades and alignments and to specifications (except for the running surface) suitable for use by logging trucks; initial density should be about one mile per 250 acres for easy topography and up to 200 acres for hilly land. For slower growing pines initial costs of road establishment should be lower, and for Douglas fir the lack of a suitable market for small thinnings makes any form of early access somewhat costly. This could be overcome in some instances by planting Douglas fir in mixture with pines.

---