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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
NORTHERN REGION (REGION 1)
MISSOULA, MT
FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – CRUISING SYSTEMS
Supplement No.: 2409.12-2011-2
Effective Date: October 7, 2011
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: JANE L. COTTRELL FOR
LESLIE A. C. WELDON
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 10/04/2011
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove entire document and replace it with this supplement.
Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this
Handbook was 2409.12-2011-1 to Chapter 40.
New Document(s):
2409.12-2011-2 (2409.12_39-39.2)
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
Digest:
None
4 Pages
Contents – Adds to the Table of Contents “39. Trespass Cruises”
39 - Adds instructions in dealing with a timber trespass cruise. This is applicable for Region One
only.
R1 SUPPLEMENT 2409.12-2011-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/07/2011
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – CRUISING SYSTEMS
Contents
39
39.1
39.2
Trespass Cruises
Requirements For Trespass Cruises
Conducting the Trespass Cruise
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R1 SUPPLEMENT 2409.12-2011-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/07/2011
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – CRUISING SYSTEMS
39 – TRESPASS CRUISES
Trespass cruises must be conducted by certified cruisers only, (sec.61) with a Qualified,
Advanced, Check, or Master cruiser certification, who can qualify as experts in a court of law
and should be coordinated with the Law Enforcement staff prior to any field work being
conducted. The use of designated Cruise Assistants is not permitted for this type of cruise. A
Check Cruiser(s) from another Unit(s)/District(s) must be obtained when evaluating the certified
cruiser(s) work for this type of cruise. The measurements problems may be complicated;
however, the methods used must be explainable so a lay person can understand the process.
Contact the cruiser(s) as soon as possible and provide all the necessary information to accurately
determine stumpage value for civil damages. Whether the trespass appears to be willful or
unintentional does not influence the way the cruise is conducted.
39.1 – Requirements For Trespass Cruises Each trespass requires special considerations
depending on the circumstances involved. However, the following guidelines apply to all cruises:
1. Keep complete legible notes for reference in court. The case may not go to trial for years
and it is necessary to have accurate data rather than memory on which to rely.
2. Brand material measured as trespass volume with “U.S.” when practical; identify
material with a number using paint containing registered tracer(s). The “U.S.” brand
certifies that the material was measured by an employee of the Government, and the
number identifies the piece in the field cruise records.
3. Take photographs showing the step-by-step process of how the cruise was conducted.
4. Use the cruise methods in common usage at the time of the incident.
39.2 – Conducting the Trespass Cruise In many trespasses, the majority of the material has been
removed and does not produce all the data necessary to conduct a complete appraisal. The
remaining tops and logs are usually moved and scattered, making it difficult to identify which
stump they originally belonged to. When appraisal data is needed or volume cannot be cruised,
make a stump comparison cruise. This type of cruise allows each appraisal item to be related to
stump size.
In stump cruising, each stump should be measured. Under certain circumstances, such as an
extensive trespass, a sampling of stumps may be used. Measure stump diameters at a common
height from the high ground side to provide a common index upon which to base correlations
with standing trees. When stumps have been cut at all heights, it may be necessary to specify the
measuring point at ground level on the high side. When all stumps have been cut at least 1 foot
high, the measuring point shall be specified at 1 foot above ground on the high side.
Record species, diameter, and cruiser’s identification for each stump measured. After measuring,
brand the stump “U.S.” and number it with paint containing registered tracer(s). Group the stump
data by species in 1-inch diameter classes. From the data obtained in the comparison cruise,
R1 SUPPLEMENT 2409.12-2011-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/07/2011
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – CRUISING SYSTEMS
determine relationships (diameter breast height, height, tree volume, and so on) for each stump
size.
The comparison cruise may be done in the immediate stand if a sufficient sample can be
obtained. Cruise adjacent stands, if necessary.
Use the comparison cruise data to develop regression equations by using the current cruise
computer program for each appraisal item’s relationship to stump diameter. Use this data to
estimate each item’s value as a function of stump diameter.
The comparison cruise provides data to develop a relationship to stump diameter. Samples must
be selected in an unbiased manner. If the trespass involved only a certain size or species, it may
be necessary to limit the cruise to individual trees. However, if a wide range of material is
involved, a plot or point cruise should be used.
Record the following information on the cruise trees: species, stump diameter, diameter breast
height, and height. Determine and record defect assessments.
Develop relationships to other dependent variables to stump diameter. Common variables are
DBH, height, volume, value and number of logs.
The relationship of the independent variable to stump diameter must be explainable in a court of
law. This procedure should be used in trespass cases whenever individual tree or logs cannot be
measured.