By Gunnar Mardon

Alternative Forest Operations Ltd (AFO), located in Crofton, British Columbia, has built a successful niche by focusing on providing safe, cost effective services in the area of alternative harvesting systems. They have developed a sustainable service niche that has served the company, its employees, and their clients well in the recent years. 

AFO is operated by three partners: Sig Kemmler, General Manager; Bridger Schmidt, Operations Manager; and Jason Kemmler, Operations Manager. The employee/ sub-contractor base fluctuates between 20-60 people, depending on the season. Spring and fall are usually very busy, with the summer slowing down in fire season, while winter slows down due to snow and inclement conditions.

The company name, Alternative Forest Operations, reflects the company's focus and mode of operation. AFO specializes in alternative forestry methods, such as helicopter single stem harvesting, forest salvage of storm hit or hard to get to areas, fire fighting, and wind-firming. AFO has also recently launched an innovative concept in urban forestry called Visual Enhancement (VE). Working with landowners and developers, AFO has designed a value added application whereby property values can be substantially enhanced through tree crown modification. Stunning views can be uncovered and trees are protected from wind damage. 

Dealing with the trees themselves sees AFO personnel in the woods delivering hands-on harvesting. Jason Kemmler summarized some of AFO's activity. "Since 2005 we have completed more than 75,000 m3 of single stem harvesting, including climbing, topping, jigging, stem-clearing, and data reporting. With timber falling, our crews have contracted more than 900,000 m3 of conventional and helicopter falling and bucking, as well as specialized pole falling. Retention falling is a large part of many single stem projects. When safety and efficiency permits, fallers will fall and buck large oversized trees for single tree recovery.”

Jason noted that AFO climbers compete economically with helicopter wind-firming. "Our specialty is applying a system of spiral pruning and topping of timber edges at the pre-harvest stage. AFO has completed over 140,000 lineal meters of wind-firming since 2004."