An apparatus for use in debarking logs that includes a debarking assembly for separating bark from logs as the logs are passed through the apparatus, such that the separated bark falls away from the logs. A contact surface catches falling bark that has been separated from logs by the debarking assembly. A pusher reciprocates over the contact surface and includes a first pusher face that pushes bark over the contact surface. A magnet reciprocates with the pusher and may be selectively activated and deactivated. When the magnet is activated, a magnetic field is provided proximate the first pusher face such that magnetically attracted portions in the bark that are brought within the magnetic field as the pusher reciprocates are magnetically attracted to the first pusher face by the magnetic field and are separated from the bark.
