Stumpage value in the short wood system for the conversion into high forest of a oak coppice

This study aims to analyze the factors affecting the costs of different logging systems, in particular considering three different bunching-extraction methods. Moreover the stumpage value of each plot was calculated, and a comparison analysis of the results is presented. The work was carried out in Central Italy, in an aged Quercus cerris L. coppice in hill zones, with a 45% average slope. Short wood system harvesting was applied. Felling and processing were performed by chainsaw, while extraction with three different methods:plot No. 1 with mules, plot No. 2 with a tractor with winch, plot No. 3 with polyethylene chute line. Transport of firewood from the forest track to the landing was made by a tractor loaded as a mule. In the plot No. 1 the costs per unit mass (30.76 €·t_33%^-1) were higher despite having the lower cost per hour (39.99 €·h^-1). The reason was the lower productivity (1.3 t_33%·h^-1). The plot No. 2 had the highest cost per hour (66.79 €·h^-1). However, productivity was the highest (2.7 t_33%·h^-1). This aspect was notable from the financial point of view (24.74 €·t_33%^-1). Plot No. 3 was the less expensive (23.92 €·t_33%^-1). Comparing the three methods, a reduction of the costs through more appropriate extraction systems may increase the stumpage value from 8.3 to 9.65 €·t_33%^-1.