The "Snap–and–Fly"

Extermination of Big Trees

 

Helicopter logging carnage has become common in British Columbia as the ancient temperate forests vanish. Heli logging takes place on steep, unruly and unroaded terrain in remote areas. By highgrading the oldest and biggest trees, maximum profit is made.

Hidden from public scrutiny, this surrepticious form of old growth carnage is carried out on private and Crown land. No government regulations exist to protect the mammoth inhabitants of the ancient groves.

Today the last of Vancouver Island's big trees, which hitherto have survived industrial extermination, are under assault. Cathedral Canyon is an intact part of the Cathedral Grove Watershed. Yet the forest industry continues to plunder what little remains. This indicates its desperation to squeeze out the last drops of lucre.

Weyerhaeuser initiated helicopter logging in BC under its "diamond picking program," designed to target the biggest and most profitable old growth trees. Heli logging requires a ground crew to be flown into the remote site. A targeted big tree is climbed by a faller who cuts off its top and strips it of its limbs as he descends. Next he fatally cuts the base of the mutilated stem, leaving just enough holding wood to keep it from falling. When the helicopter arrives, a hanging grapple grabs the top of the stripped pillar, snaps it off, and flies the corpse to the dump for loading onto a truck.

Canadian Air Crane: Monster of Destruction

Heli Logging Slaughter of Ancient Trees

Heli Logging Rampage

Heli Logging Eco Crime

Heli Faller Stripping a Big Tree

Heli Faller & Vandalized Big Trees

Heli Faller Killing An Ancient Fir

Big Tree Massacre — Heli Log Dump

Forest Destruction by Heli Logging

Forest Destruction by Heli Logging

Heli Logging Dump & Trucks

Heli Logging Site & Road

Heli Logging Site & Road

Heli Logging Site & Road

Heli Log Dump & Feller Buncher

Loaded Trucks Leaving Log Dump

Note: The gruesome photos in the Heli Logging Hell Gallery (above) are unabashed corporate advertising provided by the wood products industry. They were downloaded in 2008 from the website of Canadian Air Crane. This company is a subsidiary of the American - owned, Seattle - based Ericson Crane company, Weyerhaeuser's corporate partner in the final plundering of the remnants of ancient forest habitat on the Northwest Coast. Some photos can be clicked for larger formats.

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