"The City That Trees Built"

I borrowed that phrase from a sign as you enter Berlin, New Hampshire. For more than a century, the economy of northern New Hampshire has been defined by the wood products industry. The area I visited yesterday is the real northern New Hampshire, at least two hours north of the outlet store “paradise” of North Conway. I was photographing a family that runs a logging business, in support of a story that will run in a future Northern Woodlands. There is a ton that I could write about, it was an interesting operation to visit on one the most beautiful summer days you could ask for (cool temps and mostly clear skies). But in the interest of getting work done, I’ll briefly highlight this family’s logging process from the viewpoint of equipment used.

Ok, one picture of wood that has been piled up (for pickup by firewood distributor) to start.

The 1998 Timberjack 608B feller-buncher grasps, cuts, and piles up 80 foot hardwoods with ease.

A 1994 John Deere 648E grapple/cable skidder hauls a load away.

The 1995 Hood 24000 loader and portable slasher takes the trees, removes the branches, cuts to length, and loads the trailer.

A load is hauled away to a mill in Quebec in a 2001 Western Star log truck.