In June 2023, BSc Forestry students at Sokoine University of Agriculture participated in tree harvesting training activities. These activities included site preparation, tree felling, top removal (topping), delimbing, crosscutting into logs (bucking), debarking, and sometimes chipping of undesirable trees or logging residues. The purpose of these activities was to provide students with a better understanding of safety measures during tree harvesting activities, as it is a risky task.
In the photo above students are getting informed on the proper technique of felling a tree including the direction of felling and type of cuts (eg. notch cuts)
These training activities were part of the mission and vision fulfillment of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Tourism at Sokoine University of Agriculture, which aims to produce first-hand quality graduates in forestry activities. The university also has a Training Forest located on the foothills of Mt. Meru in Arusha Region, which provides an ideal location for practical training activities. The training activities were offered under the BSc Forestry programs.
An instructor above providing instruction to students on crosscutting a tree into logs (bucking)
The training activities were important in equipping students with practical skills that they will need in their future careers as forestry professionals. The students learned how to prepare a site for tree harvesting, how to safely fell trees, and how to process the harvested trees into logs. They also learned how to identify and remove undesirable trees or logging residues.
The above photo shows students performing the tasks as instructed on top removal (topping), delimbing, crosscutting into logs (bucking), debarking, and sometimes chipping of undesirable trees or logging residues.
Overall, the tree harvesting training activities provided BSc Forestry students at Sokoine University of Agriculture with valuable practical skills and knowledge. These skills will be useful in their future careers as forestry professionals, and the training activities were an important step in fulfilling the mission and vision of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Tourism at Sokoine University of Agriculture