tree planter returns to tower for pathfinding instead of looking locally

I'm running some tests on throughput and expected forestry size requirements in Sandbox.

A single chunk forestry area, and a single planter. There are times when the planter heads back to tower from the far side of the chunk, even though it has saplings in inventory, and then re-paths to a nearby planting location. There is currently no harvesting happening in this tower's area, it's only planting.

Due to it taking roughly 20 days (15-25, depends on pathing) to return to tower and then back to planting for a single chunk (aka large grid box), this pathfinding concern is significant for large forestry areas, where planting could easily fall behind in a large forestry area.

This appears to happen primarily on area border tiles and/or in the middle of pockets of trees where it found a place to stick one.

Caught it in the act. Save attached along with screenshot. Notice it didn't go back for more saplings, it just needed to touch base on the tower.

I have seen it too.
Also, the planter, while holding saplings, tends to drive not to place nearby but rather far for placing the next sapling. Wasting big time as well.
I expect, the planter tries to plant all 8 saplings close to each other. I'm ok if it's a bit more random after getting new saplings.

Fencing the forestry tower (like with the mining towers) indeed helps speed up the planter. though then there is more messages about vehicles cannot reach ...

https://klipy.com/gifs/jurassic-park-ian-malcolm-1

it's same with harvesters, they like to visit tower too much

Mandatory breaks enforced by the Union of Forestry Workers

Negotiated with union. Mandatory breaks will be suppressed in next AFD release. The union also agreed to implement the latest predictive work management systems in the vehicles, so now harvesters get a real-time map of maturing trees. Idle planters get a signal when a harvester targets a tree, so he can get his ass over there ASAP.

The trade-off? Every vehicle now has a built-in toilet and karaoke machine.