6.1 Harvest Slash – Managing Processing Slash on Landings

Summary

The guide covers the topic of managing slash on landings. When extracted trees are processed on a landing the process creates woody debris or slash. Processing slash is often pushed or stacked into large piles around or on the slope below the landing, called a “birds nest”. Processing slash stored around landings, occupies productive land for the next crop. If poorly managed, its weight, in addition to saturated, unstable or potentially unstable ground, can create a significant risk of failure. There is also risk of spontaneous ignition if slash piles are too high (>3m) or organic material (needles/dirt) or rubbish is mixed with slash.