Attacking The Mess

Getting the equipment into the area that needs to be cleaned up is just the first step.
Two separate goals need to be accomplished up on the hill. Removing damaged trees and thinning the areas (pre-commercial thinning) that are simply growing too close to other trees.
The storm that did most of the damage hit nearly a year and a half ago and takes up a swath across the break of the hill about 5 acres in size. It is not a square, flat or obvious path. Most of the trees were between 30 and 40 years old. Many were uprooted where others were broken off. It is not unusual to see a pocket of 10 trees broken off next to a group of trees that had no damage at all.
The loggers need to be careful to not disrupt those trees that need to be left growing in the stand while getting out the ones that are not desirable to be kept. It is much like tip-toeing through a room-full of kids at a slumber party and trying not to disturb the sleeping guests. Bumping a tree that is intended to stay growing could break the bark or notch the tree  and causing it to become destined for the lumber mill rather than continuing to grow in the forest.
When the logging job is complete, should take about 3 weeks, we are looking at the end result to be that the amount we get for selling the timber should pay for all the help (both man-power and equipment) to get the job done.
Once all the helpers are gone, we will be in charge of cleaning up the areas that have been logged to prepare for replanting.