【正确答案】·The cut-to-length and tree-length methods are the two prevailing timber harvesting methods.
   In the tree-length method, the trunks are delimbed in the forest and transported to the production plant intact or almost intact. At the plant the applicable parts of the trunks are separated according to their functional purpose such as, for example, saw logs and pulpwood.
   In the cut-to-length,the trunks are ready-cut in the forest and stacked in timber assortments according to their functional use. Typical timber assortments are saw logs, lathe logs, small diameter round timber and pulpwood. There may also be many other kinds of timber assortments.
   ·Equipment and harvesting cost
   In the tree-length method, the harvesting machine stock consists of a feller machine that fells the trunks, a ground skidding tractor that drags the intact trunks to the roadside, as well as a delimber that strips the trunks and cuts off the tops of the trees.
   In the cut-to-length, the harvesting chain's machine stock consists of a harvester and a forwarder.
   ·MACHINES
   Compared to the tree-length method's equipment the cut-to-length logging method's machines are technologically more advanced and consequently more expensive. On the other hand the tree-length method requires more machines.
   Compared to the tree-length method's overall machine costs, the cut-to-length logging method is often slightly more expensive.
   ·FUEL CONSUMPTION
   The cut-to-length logging method's fuel consumption per harvested cubic meter of timber is significantly less than in the tree-length method because there are fewer machines and typically the machines are lighter in weight.
   ·SALARY EXPENSES AND OVERALL HARVESTING EXPENSES
   The cut-to-length logging method's salary expenses are also lower because fewer drivers are required. That being the case the overall harvesting expenses at the roadside for both methods are approximately the same, and will be affected by the actual harvesting conditions.
   ·ENVIRONMENT
   In the cut-to-length logging method the timber is delimbed and ready-cut in the forest. For this reason the mass of leaves and needles, as well as twigs and the crown - all of which contain vital nutrients - remain in the forest. This ensures, particularly in nutritionally deprived soil, that trees left standing or planted seedlings will obtain enough nutrition from the earth.
   ·LOGISTICS
   Correctly implemented, the long-distance transport of logs to production plants can be managed much more cost-effectively and efficiently in the cut-to-length logging method than in the tree-length method.