Miles stopped by to pick up some spruce logs at the landing with his newly purchased 2000 vintage forwarding trailer. Street legal with high speed wheel hubs and detachable fenders, 12' long bed with a 6500#winch and an on-board gas engine powering the hydraulic pump that should pick up about 1000# at full extension and 2500# at half extension. It will be handy for loading logs at the mill and getting rid of offcuts.
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The spruce was left from last winter's logging, didn't fit on the truck, so Miles is salvaging it while still useable. Traditionally most small scale logging here is done in the winter when the ground is frozen, as skidding is easier on the land and equipment. Last year our part-time logger got in no more than 5 weekends due to the warm temperatures and it's questionable whether he will be back this year the way things are going. We may have to wait for a dry summer to do the scheduled cutting. A number of small-time loggers are calling it quits due to the change in climate, and that will have a real impact on the forest ecology/economy in this state of small second-growth timber holdings.
