The La Taupe, a new motor-manual scarification device mounted on a brush saw, was studied to determine its potential in the treatment of difficult sites. Two evaluations were made: in understory scarification for stand conversion, and on a sloping, ericaceous site where the small size of the areas restricted the use of conventional scarifiers. High treatment costs because of the labour requirement may limit its application. However, the La Taupe is a viable alternative to conventional site preparation equipment.