a method and apparatus for separating pieces of sawn timber from bundles coming out of a sawing machine . the bundles , when emerging longitudinally from the sawing machine , are transferred in their transverse direction individually and sequentially to at least one unloading station and the bundles are unloaded from beneath , i . e ., from the lowermost one of the pieces , using gripping members sequentially passing through the unloading station and engaging with the lowermost piece of timber . the separated pieces of sawn timber unloaded from the bundles are transported at regular intervals onwards .