Abstract: A tree delimbing apparatus comprises a housing through which trees are conveyed and delimbed; the housing has an open bottom through which branches and leaves are discharged. A series of rollers are mounted inside the housing for conveying and delimbing the trees; the delimbing rollers are drums to which are attached a plurality of flexible flails extendible under centrifugal force, the flails detaching leaves and branches from the trees as they are conveyed through the housing. The particular construction of the housing enables the recuperation of all limb debris for other uses such as energy source, prevents pollution from spreading of such debris, and insures safety of all personnel in the vicinity of the machine.

Abstract: The flail device comprises a rotatable drum, a series of circumferentially spaced channels extending lengthwise of the drum, support means in each channels, a rod received in each support means, and flexible flails attached to each support means at longitudinally spaced intervals thereon; each flail consists of a length of chain links and the rod in each support means passes through the end link of the flails which are extendible under centrifugal force when the drum is rotating.

Abstract: The device includes a frame, a pair of circular blades having overlapping peripheral portions, and means for conveying tree lengths transversely toward the blades. The conveying means cooperate with a first blade to move the tree lengths to the overlapping peripheral portions of the blades where they are subject to a shear cutting action.