meet larsen…
Deforestation is the process of removing large areas of trees in order to convert it into another land-use or long-term removal of biodiversity and nature. Deforestation is known to take place in rainforests, national forests and open rural areas in with the purpose of supplying more land and lumber for consumers. The process of deforestation is rising due to the demand for agricultural activities, urbanization, logging and much more. Within this project, I was able to meet a lumberjack named Larson and an Oregon State Forestry student named Trevor. With the use of photography, interviews and videography, their stories and perspectives are told.
Larsen Arndt is a third-generation lumberjack working for his family business D&S Logging. D&S is a logging business located in Pleasant Valley, Oregon. On a foggy Wednesday morning, he took me on a tour around his tree logging site and showed me what it takes to be a certified logger. (It's not as easy as it may seem!)
Measure has meaning
The logging business is much more than just cutting down trees. One important factor Larsen mentions is the accuracy in length of the trunks he cuts down. In order for the shipment to be successful, he needs to make sure each trunk is a certain height and width.
ready. set. chainsaw.
Larsen has a unique technique of neatly cutting down trees. In order to precisely cut down a tree, Larsen uses his chainsaw to create an angled cut into the trunk in order for it to fall in the same direction as the rest of the other fallen trees.
inside the machine
Larsen is responsible for not only cutting down trees, but also loading the fallen trees onto the logging trucks for shipment. He makes sure to stack the logs appropriately for their required dimensions. Since the age of 16, Larsen says this has always been his favorite part of the job.
from a distance
Once Larsen finishes cutting down trees, he looks for any residue on the the trunk of the tree such as the one pictured above. He makes sure every log is precisely cut and clean in order to complete a successful shipment.