HSWT demonstrates modern forestry technology at the 18th KWF Conference

Together with the French State Forests (ONF) and the Kuratorium für Waldarbeit und Forsttechnik (KWF ), HSWT scientists under the management of Prof Dr Stefan Wittkopf presented debarking integrated into timber harvesting with harvesters at the 18th KWF conference. In this process, the tree is not only felled, delimbed and cut to length as is customary in practice, but is also debarked immediately using harvester heads modified with special rollers (debarking heads). „The presentation of our new working method with a practical demonstration in the forest at the most important forestry event in Germany, the KWF conference, was a real highlight and perfectly suited to the conclusion of our debarking heads research projects. We hope that the technology will now find its way into forestry practice,“ summarises Professor Wittkopf.

Both the half-hourly demonstrations and countless discussions with interested visitors at the trade fair stand highlighted the many advantages of the new forestry working method:

• The nutrients bound in the bark remain in the stand and can improve the resilience of forest stands in the face of climate change.
• Insects that breed on the bark (spruce bark beetle, copper engraver, fir bark beetle) are deprived of breeding space.
• In calamity situations, there is more room for manoeuvre in terms of time and space for timber logistics and the marketing of timber. Logging roads can be spared in bad weather.
• Without bark, around 10 % more timber can be harvested per load and later transported to the factory by lorry.
• Wood dries faster without bark than with bark: fungal colonisation is minimised and the weight reduction means that larger quantities can be transported.
• For assortments with energy utilisation, 50% less ash is produced. Combustion is therefore more complete and particulate emissions are lower.

Economic efficiency analysis

Results from studies in Germany and France put the additional costs of debarking with a debarking harvester unit at around € 3 - 6/m3 of wood. These result, among other things, from the conversion costs of the harvester heads, the lower productivity per machine working hour compared to conventional harvester use and the associated higher fuel consumption. On the other hand, the debarking of wood to combat bark beetles in Germany is usually financially compensated by the forestry support programmes of the federal states. In France, the conversion of harvester heads to debarking heads is subsidised.

The specialist excursion organised by Andrea Hauck from the KWF was attended by around 6,500 people. Debarking Head was one of 32 working processes demonstrated live over three days. The HSWT was also represented at a stand of the Center of Forestry Weihenstephan on the exhibition grounds of the KWF conference. There, TUM, LWF and HSWT jointly presented their (study) programmes in the field of forestry.

Leading international trade fair for forestry

The 18th KWF Conference took place from 19 to 22 June 2024 in Schwarzenborn. Around 50,000 trade visitors from all over the world took the opportunity to find out about the latest developments and innovations in the forestry sector in sometimes difficult weather conditions. With 521 exhibitors from 30 countries, the KWF Conference offered a unique platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience, seamlessly building on the success of previous conferences (held every four years). The 19th KWF Conference will take place in Rhineland-Palatinate in 2028. Further information on the KWF Conference 2024 and the technical excursion with the 32 work processes presented can be found here.

Research projects at the HSWT

• Debarking Heads I
• Debarking Heads II
• TAÉ project

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