Field factory for the automated harvesting of forestry tree stock

Radiata pine is the most widely grown plantation forestry species in New Zealand and is a major contributor to its economy. Most forestry tree stock is grown outdoors in prepared nursery beds. Tree stock is harvested and sorted manually in winter and on-sold to forestry companies. Harvesting consists of lifting tree stock from the ground, removing the soil from the roots, root trimming, and sorting according to a grading criteria. Harvesting needs to be automated to reduce cost, health and safety issues, and damage to tree stock. This article presents an approach to mechanise these sub-processes and integrate them into a field factory to establish an automated harvesting line where tree stock is boxed in the field. A prototype is implemented and tested at a nursery under real conditions in winter. It shows that it is feasible to increase productivity with a field factory capable of harvesting and sorting forestry tree stock in the field.(c) 2023 IAgrE. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.