Felling and winching damages to natural regeneration in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran

In this study felling and skidding damage to natural regeneration were investigated in a selectively logged stand in the Hyrcanian forest of Iran. Felling and skidding operation was performed by chainsaw and cable skidder. Before and after felling and winching operation natural regeneration (amount, species, growing stage and damages) were inventoried from systematic plot sampling in the logged compartment. The results showed 16.9% of regenerations were damaged by logging operation that 4.8% of regenerations were damaged by felling operation, while 12.1% were damaged by winching operation. The results indicated that percentage and intensity of felling and winching damages on natural regeneration were increased with increasing of height of regeneration.