Expectations vary from one to person. We are mostly defined by the decisions we make throughout our life. So, if you have a passion for a particular subject, you should pursue a career as a professional in that area. If you have an interest in logging, you can pursue your career goals in that field and become successful. Whatever the field that you have an interest in, you need to have the knowledge of the most effective way in becoming a professional in that field. And in this article, our primary focus will be on how to be a logger. If you want to know how to be a logger, do not miss this read. This read on how to be a logger would be pretty important.
Timber! Paperback – February 9, 2017
Foresters, scientists, and loggers collaborate to maintain a healthy forest in the working forest. The creatures are studied by wildlife scientists. Botanists are those who study plants. Archaeologists research the past of humanity. Foresters bring it all together to create a strategy to protect the forest. Loggers harvest trees for timber according to a plan. When it comes to cutting trees for wood, they prioritize ecological balance and sustainability. This book by Mary Livingston and Tim Livingston is a comprehensive overview of all that. Hence, we think that you should take a read of this if you are reading this article on how to be a logger.
What are the types of Logging Workers?
Logging is actually a complex career. On the whole, this is not an easy job to get involved in. It surely is a demanding career. All the same, there are a lot of different types of professionals among logging workers as well. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies loggers in the following way.
1. Fallers
Mainly, fallers are the ones who cut down trees with power chains. And these might technically be power chains in the main. As the name itself suggests, this is mainly about making the trees fall.
2. Buckers
Next, we have buckers. Technically, buckers work alongside fallers. They specifically do two things. One is trimming the tops and branches of the fallen trees. And the other is bucking them or cutting them into specific lengths.
3. Tree climbers
The name itself says what tree climbers do. And of course, to ascend large trees and remove their limbs, there is a need for special tools. As they climb the trees, they carry heavy tools and safety equipment and are kept secure by a harness linked to a rope.
4. Choke setters
What about choke setters? Well, choke setters attach steel chokers around logs that will be skidded (dragged) by tractors or forwarded to the landing or deck area by the cable-yarding system, where the logs will be sorted by species and kind of product.
5. Rigging sluggers and chasers
When it comes to setting up and dismantling the cables and guy wires of the yarding system, it is the rigging sluggers and chasers who would be doing this job. This is also an important part of the whole logging process.
6. Log sorters, markers, movers, and chippers
Next, we have log sorters, markers, movers, and chippers. What do they do? They are the ones who sort, mark and move logs on the basis of their species, size, and ownership.
7. Logging equipment operators
And then we have logging equipment operators. It is easy to understand what logging equipment operators do. They are the ones who operate the heavy machinery and equipment. When it comes to the types of equipment that are in use, tree harvesters are the ones that fall trees, shear off tree limbs, and cut trees into desired lengths. Also, logging equipment operators run tractors and self-propelled equipment known as skidders or forwarders, which carry logs to a loading location by dragging or other means.
8. Log graders and scalers
Finally, there are log graders and scalers. What do they do? They are the ones who examine logs for flaws and weigh them to determine their volume. They calculate the worth of logs and pulpwood. These employees frequently enter data on trees into hand-held data-gathering equipment.
Composition of a Logging Team
Now, you know what types of logging workers are there. Of course, now we can take a look into the composition of a logging team. To cut down trees, one or two tree fallers or logging equipment operators with a tree harvester need to be there. To chop logs, there needs to be a bucker. Also, there needs to be one logging machine operator to delimb, cut logs to length, and load logs into trucks two choke setters with tractors to haul felled trees to the loading deck. This is basically the composition of a logging team.
What is the need for Loggers?
There might be a question with you with regard to the need for loggers. You might think that we must conserve forests and protect trees and there would be no need for any cutting down of trees. But of course, there are occasions where there is a need to cut down trees. Each year, logging crews clear thousands of acres of forest. The timber they collect is in use to make a wide range of consumer and industrial goods.
Hence, this is a sort of industry. Just think how many products that we use in our day-to-day life that have used timber in their production. Of course, for the production of many items, we need timber. And it is through this industry that we get to fulfill the timber requirements for such purposes. And it is mainly thanks to the loggers that we can get the industry going.
How to be a Logger?
Yes, this might be the part of the article that you might have been anxiously awaiting to read. What are the steps to be a logger? Alright. Let us list them out.
- Complete a high school diploma or get a GED
- Get a degree in forestry science
- Get on-the-job training
- Earn certifications
- Advance in your career
No doubt, you would like to go through a comprehensive overview of how to be a logger. You can read this article and get to know it better. We hope that this would be a great help to you.
1. Complete a high school diploma or get a GED
This is how you should begin your career as a logger. However, this is not where you learn the trade. This is where you get the foundation to indulge in any career that you wish to join. If you graduate from high school, you will have a fundamental grasp of the majority of academic areas. High school graduation, in particular, signifies that you have a basic grasp of maths, science, reading, and writing. As a result, high school graduation is necessary to begin your job. You do not, however, need to be an expert in any of these. All that is necessary is a basic understanding of those.
Nevertheless, it does not necessarily have to be a high school diploma in particular. It is perfectly fine even if it is a GED test. That means a General Education Development test. A GED test also ensures that you have the proper knowledge that is necessary.
On the other hand, a high school diploma or GED will not prepare you for this job as we told you. To accomplish so, you would have to make strides in your area particularly with this goal in mind. When you particularly get on-the-job training, learn the trade from seniors, get professional qualifications and move forth in your career little by little.
2. Get a degree in forestry science
Most forestry worker positions require only a high school diploma. Associate’s degrees or certifications in forest technology are available from several vocational or technical schools and community colleges. It would be pretty easy for you to find a job with these additional programs that you follow.
Specifically, you can pursue a degree in Forestry Science. If your university does not offer a Forestry Science program, consider pursuing an Environmental Science degree instead. Take classes specifically linked to the logging profession during your undergraduate studies to expand your understanding of the industry.
Nonetheless, it would be beneficial if you choose electives that will expose you to the operation of heavy machinery as well as programs that will help you improve your decision-making abilities. All of them are pretty important for your professional career.
To expand your knowledge base, you can connect with people in the business. During your undergraduate education, use your leisure time to network with logging industry experts. Work with your on-campus career services office to develop strategies to do so.
All the same, study about logging your leisure time. Subscribe to newsletters that give in-depth information. To enhance your chances of obtaining a career as a logger, learn everything you can about the business. All of those would be so helpful to you to move forward in your career.
Introduction to Forestry Science 3rd Edition
The author of this book is L. Devere Burton. This offers readers a detailed review of forest management concepts and methods that are frequently used in the United States. This book is loaded with visual aids and tools, as well as job profiles, that offer readers an idea of what it is like to work in the forest sector and illustrate how principles are used in the real world. It is appropriate for anybody interested in forestry or natural resources. Also, this is beneficial for someone who wants to go ahead in the industry of logging.
Principles of Environmental Science 8th Edition
Here is another book that you can refer to. The authors of this book are William Cunningham and Mary Cunningham. Instead of the usual 25 to 30 chapters included in most environmental science textbooks, the authors have condensed Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry and Applications into just 16 chapters, making it ideal for a one-semester non-majors environmental science course. The objective of this brief work, as stated in the title, is to give students an up-to-date, introductory view of important issues in environmental science, as well as multiple chances to exercise scientific thinking and active learning. Hence, this would be appropriate for your degree programs.
3. Get on-the-job training
Following that, you can apply for a job and get one. Then, you can receive on-the-job training. Loggers, regardless of your educational background, you would usually need hands-on experience.
Completing your employer’s initial training is a must. Your employer will train you on how to use the equipment properly and responsibly before you start cutting down trees. Take chainsaw safety and operating training, as well as first aid. Timber grading and particular logging software used by your business may be covered in hands-on training.
However, you must take this training program very seriously. Pay close attention to what your trainer says. Keep a tight eye on them and do not let your gaze wander. When you are unsure about something, you should definitely clear your doubts for sure.
You may reduce your chance of harm by learning how to operate the equipment safely. The majority of your days will be spent working in a group. Your coworkers will be safer if you use your equipment safely. And of course, you will be on the safe side as well.
4. Earn certifications
How should you proceed to be a logger? Well, you should earn the certifications that you can earn in this trade. And earning these kinds of certifications would surely be helpful in increasing your earning potential as well. So, make sure to pursue state logging certificates. Look out for the certification program, application procedure, and course requirements for your state on the internet. Request that your employer reimburses all or part of the charges and fees. That is what you should do here. Then, you would be all good.
Completing evening or weekend seminars given at colleges, universities, or approved training institutions can usually satisfy state certification course requirements. As a result, fees vary greatly depending on the degree you select and which university you attend. Generally, these programs must be completed within two to three years following the original application.
To keep their certification current, many state certification programs require participants to complete continuing education credits. To maintain excellent status and stay updated with best practices, take extra courses each year. Then, you will never ever fail in your professional career.
5. Advance in your career
As a professional, you can probably go even further now. With experience, loggers can surely move to higher positions for sure. At the entry-level, it is basically like this. You can start as a chokerman, work your way up to timber bucker, and then apply to be a feller.
Most entry-level loggers begin their careers as chokerman. After many months as a chokerman, work as a timber bucker with expert timber fellers to delimb trees. When you have accumulated a few years of experience, apply for any feller positions that become available. A feller uses either manual equipment, such as chainsaws, or machines, such as tree harvesters, to chop down trees. And that requires pretty good knowledge of all that for sure. And this is basically how you can advance in the initial stage. Afterward, you can keep on advancing. With more and more experience, you will be able to receive a higher salary as well.
Rise: 3 Practical Steps for Advancing Your Career, Standing Out as a Leader, and Liking Your Life Paperback – Illustrated, May 1, 2012
The author of this book is Patty Azzarello. As we told you, advancing in your professional career is a pretty important thing. And we hope that this book can guide you with that specifically. This book contains methods for becoming a great leader, growing your network, succeeding without wasting time, and so on. Although this does not specifically say anything about logging, this is alright for any professional to read. This can surely broaden your knowledge.
What Qualities do Loggers need?
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights several key qualities that loggers need to have. Here are them.
- Communication skills
- Decision-making skills
- Detail-oriented
- Physical stamina
- Physical strength
These are the qualities that loggers need to have. If you are reading this article to get to know how to be a logger, keep in mind that you need to have these qualities to advance in your career as well.
1. Communication skills
No doubt, loggers must also have excellent communication skills. You must be able to accurately interpret what others are saying. You must also be able to communicate the things you need to express to others in an appropriate manner.
In the forest, you would not be in close proximity to another coworker. You need to have the ability to speak loud enough to say whatever that you need to say. Overall, it is being effectively communicative that matters the most in a profession like this. This is the key to successfully completing your tasks both effectively and efficiently.
Communication Skills: A Practical Guide to Improving Your Social Intelligence, Presentation, Persuasion and Public Speaking (Positive Psychology Coaching Series Book) (Volume 9) Paperback – July 11, 2015
As we previously stated, it is critical to enhance your communication skills if you believe they might be better and you are unhappy with what you have now. Ian Tuhovsky is the author of this book. Wendell Wadsworth is the editor of this book. Effective communication is, without a doubt, the key to success in most situations. If you communicate well, you can affect change. “This book was amazing and changed my life. I would recommend it to anyone.” This is how one of the book’s readers rated it on Amazon.
2. Decision-making skills
You would basically need to be able to make the correct decisions at the appropriate time. You would not be able to achieve in this field unless you have excellent decision-making abilities. Because you may not always be able to contact team members, you must be able to make quick decisions in the field. In reality, you might sometimes have to face dangerous situations. You are working in the middle of a forest most of the time. Therefore, you must be ready for any adverse situation. If anything takes a turn for the worse, you must be vigilant enough to make the right decision abruptly.
The Art of Decision Making: How We Move from Indecision to Smart Choices: Audible Audiobook – Unabridged
This audiobook was written by Joseph Bikart. The narrator is Bill Bingham. Loggers have to make important on-the-spot decisions. You would find a range of techniques and approaches for enhancing your decision-making talents if you study this book attentively. Because of that, we strongly urge you to read this book. We hope you find this to be a fun and informative read.
3. Detail-oriented
Loggers must, of course, pay close attention to every aspect. In fact, a logger must pay great attention to even the tiniest aspects while on the job. Sometimes the simplest things are the most essential. It is conceivable that neglecting to consider them will have a negative impact on the final outcome of your project. Therefore, loggers must be extremely detail-oriented. Most of the time, you would not be able to undo a mistake once you make it. Workers in the logging industry must keep an eye on gauges, dials, and other indications to see if their equipment and tools are in good working order. If you are not attentive to detail, you would miss out on some of them.
Improve Attention To Detail: A straightforward system to develop attention to detail in yourself, employees, and across an organization. Paperback – April 17, 2019
As you probably already know, in a job like this, paying attention to even the tiniest detail is crucial. We are confident that this book will be of use to you in your quest. Chris Denny is the author of this book. You would discover advice on how to increase your attention to detail in this book. So, we recommend that you read this book. This book’s readers are satisfied with what it had to offer them. Positive comments have also been received on Amazon on behalf of this book. Because of that, this would undoubtedly be a worthwhile read for you.
4. Physical stamina
`First, let us get to know what physical stamina means. The capacity to maintain a high degree of physical or mental activity for an extended period of time is known as stamina. You must be physically active at all times when working as a logger. Hence, physical stamina is unquestionably important.
You would spend most of your time as a logger outside, in potentially hazardous situations. If you cannot handle it, you are probably not made out for this line of work. If this is the case, you might think about changing careers. Increasing your stamina helps you to persevere through a challenging endeavor, notwithstanding. It also aids in the reduction of fatigue and lethargy.
30 Minutes to Fitness: Strength & Stamina with Kelly Coffey-Meyer
This DVD by Kelly Coffey-Meyer would be a fantastic resource for you to use in order to increase your physical stamina. This would not necessitate a lot of work on your part. It will only take 30 minutes of your time to complete. As a consequence, you will discover some techniques for boosting your physical stamina and strength if you refer to this. That is why we advise you to do so. It would undoubtedly be worthwhile for you to give it a shot. How can you survive in the industry if you want to be a logger and do not have physical stamina?
5. Physical strength
Ultimately, you need to have physical strength at a pretty good level as well. If your level of physical strength is not adequate to engage in a demanding career like logging, then, there is an issue. Mainly, being strong and sturdy is important big time. But how can you overcome this issue if you want to be a logger? One of the best ways to overcome this issue is actively taking part in strength training. Strength training can, undoubtedly, help you increase your physical strength. This is very beneficial for your career.
Science and Practice of Strength Training Hardcover – April 9, 2020
Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky, William J. Kraemer, and Andrew C. Fry are the writers of this book. As you are probably aware, loggers require physical strength and fitness. This implies that you must be physically capable of carrying out the duties at hand. This is an excellent book to refer to if you wish to improve your physical strength. It has received positive ratings and reviews on Amazon as well.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this article was helpful to you to get to know how to be a logger. And we hope that you would now be having a good understanding of the analysis we brought to you about how to be a logger. Also, if you wish, you can read about how to be a forest conservation technician. We wish you good luck in your career in logging!
