Log bucking

Bucking is the process of cutting a felled and delimbed tree into logs. This can be a complicated process because logs destined for plywood, lumber, and pulp, each have their own price and specifications for length, diameter, and defects.

Bucking may be done in a variety of ways depending on the logging operation. In the photos from Oregon shown here, the trees have been previously felled and moved to the landing with a log skidder and spread out for processing. While many of the limbs have broken off during transport, the remaining limbs and stubs have to be trimmed. The bucker will anchor the end of an auto rewinding tape measure which is attached to his belt and walk down the log trimming as he goes. The tape is anchored gently with a bent horseshoe nail in the bark so it can be jerked loose when the measurement is completed. When a suitable place to buck the tree is located the cut is made. Local market conditions will determine the particular lengths cut. For example, in Oregon it is common for log buyers to issue purchase orders for the length, diameter, grade, and species that they prefer and will accept. There are often different prices for different items. The bucker is the one who turns a tree into logs, and to do his job properly must cut the tree for optimum value.

The person bucking is generally called a Bucksawyer or Bucklogger, or just a Bucker and runs as many saws as he can, switching out saws as soon as one is dull. The reason for this is the bucksawyer is typically paid per section of log he cuts. Generally you will find a bucklogger at the smaller sawmills that aren't fully mechanized. This method of logging is perhaps more dangerous than the actual felling of the trees for the bucklogger is usually cutting from the edge of a treepile which can be twenty feet high and as long as there is room to dump them from the truck. Each tree has to be picked out of the pile and cut so that a controlled fall of more trees can be worked as the former fall has been cut and skidded to its respective pile.

ee also

* Underbucking