{"id":46569,"date":"2026-06-25T15:39:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T13:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foretnature.be\/?post_type=forestnews&p=46569"},"modified":"2026-06-25T15:39:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T13:39:27","slug":"harvesting-start-up-airforestry-is-trialling-drone-assisted-thinning","status":"publish","type":"forestnews","link":"https:\/\/foretnature.be\/en\/forestnews\/harvesting-start-up-airforestry-is-trialling-drone-assisted-thinning\/","title":{"rendered":"Harvesting: start-up AirForestry is trialling drone-assisted thinning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Swedish start-up AirForestry is developing a technology aimed at shifting forest thinning operations from the ground to the air. Founded in 2020, the company is currently conducting real-world trials in collaboration with industrial partners in the forestry sector.<\/p>\n

The system relies on a fleet of autonomous electric drones measuring 6.2 metres in diameter. Guided by computer vision algorithms, each drone locates a target tree, then lowers a lightweight cutting tool (60 kg) along the trunk. This tool performs delimbing by gravity, saws through the base using electric guidance, and secures the log (up to 200 kg). The drone then transports the stem directly to a roadside landing area.<\/p>\n

See the demonstration video<\/a><\/p>\n

The primary objective of this approach is both technical and environmental: to do away with traditional ground-based forestry machinery, which can weigh up to 20 tonnes. By eliminating wheeled traffic, the system removes the risks of soil compaction and root damage. Furthermore, it spares forest managers from having to create strip roads, which typically occupy up to 20% of stand area. According to the company, this absence of soil disturbance would allow the growth of remaining trees to be optimised by 8% per harvesting cycle.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":46517,"template":"","acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHarvesting: start-up AirForestry is trialling drone-assisted thinning - For\u00eat.Nature<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/foretnature.be\/en\/forestnews\/harvesting-start-up-airforestry-is-trialling-drone-assisted-thinning\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Harvesting: start-up AirForestry is trialling drone-assisted thinning - For\u00eat.Nature\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Swedish start-up AirForestry is developing a technology aimed at shifting forest thinning operations from the ground to the air. Founded in 2020, the company is currently conducting real-world trials in collaboration with industrial partners in the forestry sector. The system relies on a fleet of autonomous electric drones measuring 6.2 metres in diameter. 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