A Foxton contractor's trial for the manslaughter of a forestry worker will begin in Palmerston North today.

Paul Burr is the first person in New Zealand to be charged with manslaughter over the death of a forestry worker.

It's alleged Burr failed to take all reasonable precautions while operating a tree-felling harvester, leading to the death of Lincoln Kidd, who was struck by a tree in 2013.

The trial is set down to last three weeks.