Technology for thinning forests to be demonstrated

Landowners, foresters, loggers, land managers and mill operators are invited to attend demonstrations of conventional and novel forest thinning technologies on Saturday at the Coldwater Conservation Area.

Operators will demonstrate wheeled and tracked harvesters and grapple skidders, a feller buncher, a forwarder and a portable sawmill beginning at 10 a.m. and again at 11:30.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Eastern Ozarks Forestry Council are sponsoring a trial at the Coldwater Area to compare the profitability and environmental impact of conventional and novel harvesting technologies.

Attendants will be able to view stands harvested by the equipment to see its impact on soil and trees. Foresters will be on hand to explain how trees were selected for removal or retention as crop trees.

The Coldwater Area is located on Highway 67, about seven miles north from the junction with Highway 34. An MDC "Coldwater Conservation Area" sign on the east side on Highway 67 marks the gravel road to the area. Directions to the demonstration site will be posted from that point.

For more information or to confirm your attendance, call the MDC office in Piedmont, Mo., at (573) 223-4525. For safety reasons, preteens should not attend. Drinks will be provided.