500
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 500 - LONG TERM FIELD TESTS
Contents
510
INTRODUCTION
520
521
521.1
521.2
521.3
521.4
521.5
LONG TERM TEST
Establishment
Site Selection
Site Preparation
Plantation Layout
Planting Procedure
Mapping and Recordkeeping
530
530.1
530.2
530.3
530.4
530.5
530.6
530.7
530.8
MAINTENANCE
Test Maintenance
Vegetation Control
Livestock and Big Game
Pest Control
Thinning
Fertilization
Recording Management Activities
Questions
540
540.1
540.2
540.3
540.4
540.5
540.6
540.7
540.8
540.9
540.10
540.11
540.12
540.13
MEASUREMENTS
Measurements
Timing of Measurements
Data taking Format
Survival Check
Identification Check
Baseline Measurements
Height Measurements
Diameter Measurements
Data Collection Codes
Comments
Sample Size
Data Editing & Submission
Data Analysis
550
CONTINGENCY MEASUREMENTS
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521.1
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
510 - INTRODUCTION. The genetic worth of trees included in selective breeding programs
must be reliably assessed. To assess the genetic worth of collected material, progeny are grown
in evaluation plantings. These plantings may be in nursery beds, greenhouses, or field
plantations. This chapter describes and sets standards for long term field tests in the Northern
Region Tree Improvement Program. (See Chapter 400 for information on Early Selection
Trials).
Long term field tests are established in a manner to:
1.
Minimize environmental differences within the planting.
2.
Provide for the replication of the material throughout the planting.
The long term field test may be repeated in a representative range of environments.
Special steps should be taken when necessary to assure high survival.
Long term field tests are not normally designed to evaluate:
1.
Drought resistance during establishment.
2.
Nursery or greenhouse practices.
3.
Site preparation.
4.
Planting practices.
5.
Early plantation care.
520 - LONG TERM TEST. Some tests are designed to evaluate genetic worth over a long
period of time. There is a general procedure for establishment and maintenance of long term
tests, but differences may occur among work plans. Follow the guidelines in the work plan.
521 - Establishment
521.1 - Site Selection. When progeny are to be tested in plantations, select a suitable
outplanting site. The outplanting site should have the following characteristics:
1.
It should be at an elevation suitable for the species being tested.
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TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
2.
It should be on a normal habitat type for the species being tested and be acceptable as
specified in the species work plan.
3.
The site index should be average or higher for the species being tested.
4.
It should be reasonable accessible to facilitate future measurements.
5.
The site should be as uniform as possible relative to soils, aspect, elevation and slope.
6.
It should be large enough to accommodate the entire outplanting with a 100 foot
buffer. The buffer should be managed within the same age class of the outplanting.
7.
It should not include any large "nonplantable" areas.
8.
Standard site preparation practices should be followed but not overdone to ensure that
the seedlings will not be subject to competition from native vegetation and that soils
are not damaged or altered significantly.
9.
The plantation should be entirely on one ownership.
10. The plantation should be on a site representative of those site conditions on which
management for timber production is contemplated or likely.
11. Site should be free of known or anticipated damaging agents.
Outplanting sites will be nominated by the District or Forest Silviculturist. The nominated sites
will be reviewed and approved by the Regional Geneticist or by a review team established by the
species subcommittee of the Inland Empire Tree Improvement Cooperative. This will insure
that environments throughout the range of the species are tested.
521.2 - Site Preparation. As with operational sites, the site preparation should match site.
Unlike operational sites, site-preparation for a test plantation may be more intensive to allow the
seedlings to be planted in an accurate grid. The type and amount of site preparation should:
1.Allow good seedling survival.
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TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
2.
Minimizing competition from vegetation.
3.
Provide uniform soil conditions.
4.
Reduce the fire hazard.
5.
Allow for easy location of seedings.
521.3 - Plantation Layout. Seedling identification is simplified and future measurements are
enhanced if evaluation plantations are laid out in straight, even rows of uniformly spaced trees.
This is best accomplished by establishing a series of square, 100-tree grids on the planting site.
The grid system not only results in uniform planting, but also facilitates entering the plantation
into the computer for storage and analysis.
1.
Grid Layout (see Exhibit 1). To determine the number of grids needed, divide the
total number of trees to be planted by 100. Be sure to add a few extra grids to
allow for nonplantable spots. Using a staff compass, establish a baseline along one
boundary of the planting area. This line should be 100 feet from the adjacent
timber wall. Along this line, mark grid corners with a wire flag at a distance of ten
times the tree spacing. (For example, if the trees are to be planted at a 6-foot
spacing, the grid corners will be at a 60-foot interval). The distance between the
grid corners must be horizontal so it will be necessary to correct for slope.
Starting at the first and last grid corner in the baseline, layout two parallel lines at
right angles to the baseline. Place a wire flag at the predetermined grid corner
interval along these lines, correcting for slope as necessary. The lines should be
equal in length and either as long as possible within the confines of the planting
unit boundary or if the planting unit is bigger than needed for the test plantation to
be established as long as necessary to provide the required number of 100-tree
grids. (This is determined by multiplying the number of grids along the base line
by the number of grids along one of the sidelines).
Be sure to leave enough space between the sidelines and the edge of the planting
unit for a 2-row border strip and the 100 foot buffer.
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TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
Next lay out a topline parallel to the baseline between the last grid corners on the
sidelines. Use wire flags to mark the grid corners at the predetermined distance
along this line. If lines have been laid out carefully, there will be only a small
"error of closure". If the error of closure exceeds the planting spacing, i.e., if the
error closure is greater than 6 feet in a plantation that is to be planted at at 6-foot by
6-foot spacing, then make adjustments. If the error closure is due to angle adjust
the angle of the topline. If the error of closure is due to distance, adjust the
spacing of the grid flags along the topline. If the error of closure is extremely
large, check and correct the baseline and sidelines.
After making the necessary adjustments, replace the wire flags with permanent
corner posts. These corner posts can be metal fencepost or garden post, wooden
fencepost, steel reinforcing rod, fiberglass rods, etc. Select post that will stay
intact for at least 25 years. There will be one corner post for each 100-tree grid.
Then place the "internal" grid corner posts by line of sight between the "external"
posts along the baseline, sidelines, and topline. If the "external" posts can not be
viewed from sideline to sideline or baseline to topline, a staff compass should be
used to mark the "internal" corners.
If additional grids are needed, establish these grids outside exterior grids, as
permitted by the planting unit boundary, using either line of sight or compass and
tape.
Allow for nonplantable spots when determining how many grids are needed.
Large "nonplantable" areas, such as skid roads, landings, burn piles, wet spots, etc.,
should be flagged out in advance and grids added to compensate for the loss of
such areas. In a test plantation, a nonplantable spot is one with site conditions that
will negatively or positively influence the performance of a tree planted at that spot,
thus weakening the value of tree's growth data for identifying genetically superior
families. While such spots may normally be planted in operational plantations, in
a test plantation it should be planted with a dummy trees or left unplanted if site
conditions are to severe.
SEE THE PAPER COPY OF THE MASTER SET FOR EXHIBIT 1
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TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
2.Row and Column Designation. The plantation map will eventually be entered and
stored in the computer. The computer prints data from left to right and from top to
bottom. Therefore, the row and column designation must begin at the upper
left-hand corner regardless of road access or the order in which the trees are
planted. In determining which is the upper left-hand corner, it is sometimes
helpful to visualize yourself hovering in a helicopter over the planting unit.
Normally, the left-most corner on the uphill side of the planting unit is considered
the upper left-hand corner. The grid corner post at that point is the upper left-hand
corner of the grid and is the starting point for Row #1 and Column #1. The rows
normally run across the slope and columns up and down the slope. The next
subsequent posts across the slope mark columns 11, 21, 31, 41, etc. Each post in
the grid layout should be tagged with the row and column number. Select tags that
will be legible for at least 25 years.
It is not necessary to identify the grids themselves other than with the appropriate
row and column number. An alternative procedure for laying out a test plantation
is described in the Inland Empire Tree Improvement Cooperative's "Installation,
Maintenance, & Measurement Guidelines for Genetics Tests", dated June 1989.
The procedure described therein is especially useful if the trees are subdivided into
family sets.
521.4 - Planting Procedure. Planting is normally done up and downhill rather than across the
slope. The columns also usually run up and downhill. Just prior to planting, 10 wire flags
designating the intermediate rows should be placed between each of the grid posts. The wire
flags should run in the same direction as the direction in which the area will ultimately be
planted.
Use a stretchable bungi cord with 11 equally spaced marks to determine the position of each flag.
Stretching the cord between the grid post automatically corrects for slope distance and for errors
in the horizontal distance between the grid posts. Corrections are distributed equally between
the 10 rows as the cord is stretched. The upper mark on the bungi cord is held at the grid post of
the 100-tree grid being flagged. Place the eleventh mark on the bungi cord at the grid post on
the grid down. This is the first row in that 100-tree grid. Then insert wire flags into the ground
at each of the ten spots along the cord.
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521.4--2
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
Using the same procedure, place wooden survey stakes along the rows between the grid corner
posts. Select stakes that will stay in place atleast 10 years. Place these wooden stakes at right
angles to the direction of planting. The stakes provide permanent identification for every tenth
tree in each column. When the plantation is ready to be planted, each grid should look like
Exhibit 2.
Determine planting spots with the bungi cord by stretching the cord along the rows between the
wire flags (and between adjacent corner posts). Planters should line up behind the marks on the
bungi cord and plant a tree in each spot as the cord is move successively up the hill. Bungi cord
stretchers should take care to stretch the cord between flags directly opposite one another.
If there are not enough planters for each spot, then each planter may have to plant two or more
spots. The stretchable cord will automatically correct errors in distance and will produce
equally spaced rows and columns of trees.
The boxes of seedlings will be marked with the plantation name and replacation number. Storing
the boxes by replacation will assist in taking the correct seedlings from storage for each days
planting. The planting crew should be organized to plant a full replacation each day. All the
seedlings in a replacation must be planted before beginning another.
Each test seedling is identified with a tag bearing the family number. Care should be taken to
ensure the tags remain on the seedlings until the plantation is mapped. If a seedling loses its tag
and cannot be identified, it should be used as a dummy tree in a "nonplantable" spot.
Flag the boundaries between replacations for the benefit of the mappers. Once the plantation is
mapped, the replacation boundaries no longer need marking.
If there are significant environmental changes within the area to be planted, i.e., aspect, slope,
soil type, etc., planting should be done so replaction boundaries coincide with the environmental
changes. If the site is uniform, plant the area grid by grid without concern for environmental
changes. Replacation boundaries can occur anywhere in a grid. No physical separation is
needed between replacation; when a replacation is completed, begin planting the next
replacation in the next row.
SEE PAPER COPY OF THE MASTER SET FOR EXHIBIT 2
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TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
"Nonplantable" spots are those which can be planted, but are not suitable for test trees. Dummy
trees of the same species as the test trees may be planted here. This will help maintain more
uniform competition between the test trees. If the nonplantable spot is not conducive to even a
dummy tree, then it should be left blank and recorded as "NPS" (Nonplanted Spot).
When planting is completed, the entire plantation should be surrounded by two complete rows of
border stock. These trees should be the same species, planted at the same spacing, and in the
same rows and columns as the test trees. The border trees will maintain the level of competition
on the outside rows of trees and minimize the so-called "border effect."
Border trees and dummy trees may be excess operation planting stock of the same species or
excess test seedlings. Excess test material used as dummy stock may have a tag labeled with the
family number. These tags should be pulled and not recorded by the mappers to avoid
confusion with test seedlings. If seedlings of the same species are unavailable, then other
species may be used.
521.5 - Mapping and Recordkeeping. A mapping crew should map each grid as it is planted.
Grid mapping will be done on hand held electronic field recorders using a program written
expressly for this purpose.
The mapping crew should consist of two people. One person reads the family number on the
tag and the other enters the number in the appropriate block on the hand held field recorder.
After entering the number, the recorder should read the number back to the reader as a double
check.
Data entered into the field recorder should depict the exact layout of each individual grid as it is
on the ground. When printed out, the data will show the entire layout of the plantation.
As the mappers map the first row in every grid (this is the uppermost row in the grid with the
wooden stake at each planting spot) they should record the tree number at each spot on
permanent tags. Select tags that will remain legible for at least 25 years. These tags should be
attached to the wooden stake at each spot to identify every tenth tree along each column. At
some subsequent remeasurement, when the trees are big enough, the tag should be tied directly
to a branch on the tree.
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521.5--2
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
Each days mapping must be 100% checked for accuracy. The mapping crew should organized
so the reader does not check read the same seedlings as they read in the original mapping.
If relocation of the untagged trees is a concern, it may be necessary to mark each tree's location.
Typical situations that necessitate marking more than every tenth tree are; invasion by naturals of
the same species, competition from ground cover, and the presence of undisposed slash. Trees
may be marked with small diameter sticks; such as arrow shafts, bamboo shoots used by
horticulturists, etc. Wire flags are effective markers only as long as the colored plastic flag
remains attached (which may be only 1 year).
A "whole plantation" map and a vicinity map should also be constructed showing replacation
locations in relation to each other, other site characteristics (i.e., fences, roads), and the relation
of the unit to a larger geographic area. Be sure that the maps you construct are clear enough that
someone can find their way around the plantation on their own without your assistance.
The plantation manager is responsible for completing the Establishment Report at the completion
of the project. Information in this report should include; seedling condition, planting dates,
weather conditions, method of planting and any problems incountered establishing the test.
Copies of these reports, along with location map, and a sketch map of the entire plantation with
rows and columns indicated, should be sent to:
(Data Manager - Name)
USDA Forest Service
Forestry Sciences Laboratory
1221 S. Main
Moscow, ID 83843
Grid map data in the hand held field recorders should be uploaded to Data General where it can
be retrieved by the Date Manager, when he is ready for it. The grid map data should not be
flipped to the Data Manager.
The Plantation Manager should maintain a file for the long term test. The test plantation file
should include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Establishment Report
Location Map
Plantation Sketch map
Computerized Grid Map (provided by the Data Manager)
A record of Maintenance Activities
Copies of Plantation Quick Checks
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530.4--1
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
530 - Maintenance
530.1 - Test Maintenance. The test plantation manager or someone on the silvicultural staff
should check the evaluation plantation at least monthly during the open season and prepare a
Plantation Quick Check, R1-FS-2470, (See Exhibit 3) each time. The Quick Check will help
identify actual and potential problems in the test plantation and should become a part of the
permanent records for the test. Management activities should be prescribed to minimize the
impact of any problems found in the plantation. Instructions for using the Quick Check for are
given on the reverse side of the form.
530.2 - Vegetation Control. Although evaluation plantations are established in areas similar to
operational plantations, they are managed differently.
Brush and other competing vegetation must be kept under control so that the trees can grow
freely. Control may be mechanical (hoeing or tractor cultivation) or chemical, as needed.
Mulch can also be used to control competing vegetation and help locate test seedlings. Wild
seedlings that establish themselves inside the test must be removed before they compete with the
test trees or are mistaken for a test tree.
530.3 - Livestock and Big Game. Fencing for large animal control may be required. Test areas
in open range or active grazing allotments must be fenced before the test is established. Cows
do not generally feed on conifer seedlings, but they do cause considerable damage by trampling
and compacting the soil. There is NO EXCUSE for allowing cattle in test areas.
In contrast, deer and elk do forage on tree seedlings. In areas of high risk, fences or barriers
should be built to control anticipated big game populations. Plantations should not be
established along know migration routes. If big game damage becomes a problem after
establishment, corrective action may be required. "Quick Check" surveys should be used to
assess magnitude of this type of damage.
After installation of a fence, it should be inspected frequently and repaired immediately if
needed. Melting snowpack can damage a wire fence. To minimize maintenance, consider
dropping barbed wire strands prior to snowfall each fall and resetting them in the spring.
530.4 - Pest Control. Pests, such as mice, gophers, porcupines, insects and disease, etc., must be
controlled. Gophers are especially destructive and may require routine vegetation management,
trapping, or baiting for control. Some biological control measures may be available for insects,
such as pheromone traps or other insect predators. The FPM staff (see IETIC Plantation Quick
Check Instructions) is available to assist plantation managers identify and evaluate control
methods.
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530.4--2
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
In cases where the pest has substantial economic importance and trees indicate genetic variation
in resistance, the decision may be not to use control measures, but to collect data on the relative
damage among families. The resulting information may be used to develop criteria for selecting
for resistance to the pest.
Routinely check plantations for insect, disease, and animal damage.
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530.4--3
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
EXHIBIT 3
IETIC PLANTATION QUICK CHECK
( See QUIK_CK_INST for instructions )
Date:_5/16/91
PLANTATION NAME:_Eldorado Creek______________ SPECIES:_Douglas-fir___________
BREEDING UNIT:_34-low_________________________ CHECKED BY:_P.Checker,Plt. Mgr.
COOPERATOR:_USFS Pierce District________________ PLANTING YEAR:_1989____________
A.
CONDITION: Record observations on the condition of the plantation. Briefly identify problems if
they exist, otherwise place a check beside each item.
Fence:_Posts need replacing____
I.D. Tags:_Tags: Permanent ink fading_____
Gate:_OK_______________________
Permanent Markers:_In place and OK________
Sign:_New sign this year_______
Vegetative Competition:_Heavy weeds_______
Recent Mortality:_Very little_ Invasion by Wild Seedlings:_Removed_______
B.
DAMAGE: Record the tally of live trees with each type of damage, the percent of damaged trees,
and any observations that relate to the damage such as whether the damaged parts are missing,
dead, swollen, deformed, discolored, or inhabited by insects.
NUMBER
DAMAGED
PERCENT
DAMAGED
OBSERVATIONS
1. Terminal Bud
___2___
___2%__
_Aphids_______________________
2. Lateral Buds
___7___
___7%__
_Deer browsing________________
3. Terminal Shoot
___5___
___5%__
_Tip weevil___________________
4. Lateral Branches
__10___
__10%__
_Snow damage__________________
5. New Foliage
___4___
___4%__
_Chlorotic____________________
6. Old Foliage
__26___
__26%__
_Needle cast__________________
7. Stem
___6___
___6%__
_Gall rust____________________
8. Roots
___2___
___2%__
_Rodent chewing_______________
9. Flowers or cones
___1___
___1%__
_Deformed, cold damage________
Total number of trees observed:__100__
C. IDENTIFICATION OF DAMAGING AGENTS:
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_Aphids, big game damage, tip weevils, snow and cold damage, gall rust.__
D. ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS OR COMMENTS:
_Needs root rot survey, rodent control. Replacement of fence scheduled.__
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530.4--4
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
IETIC PLANTATION QUICK CHECK INSTRUCTIONS
Genetic tests are the mainstay of the IETIC and will provide the information required to identify
genetically superior trees for the future. Each tree in a genetic test is valuable and important.
The IETIC Plantation Quick Check is a fast and efficient method of assessing the status of all
IETIC genetic tests.
The plantation manager should use regular Quick Check evaluations to help identify problems,
plan routine maintenance activities, and detect damaging agents that may threaten to destroy a
plantation. In addition, Quick Checks provide a history of plantation conditions and may be
used to trigger opportunistic evaluations of damage that are genetically important.
The entire Quick Check procedure is designed to take 30 minutes to 1 hour per visit, depending
on plantation size, and should be completed by the plantation manager or his/her delegate once a
month during the field season (April - October). The person who evaluates the plantation
should have experience in identifying damage symptoms caused by environmental factors,
insects, and diseases.
PART A: Walk around and through the plantation to inspect its overall condition. Record your
observations for items listed. For example: Gate: latch broken. Note that invasion by
wild seedlings refers to all invading tree species.
PART B: Select one row and one column that traverse the plantation and are representative of
the variation across the test. Walk down the row and column and observe each tree. As
you walk, count the total number of trees you observe. Use a tally-whacker if you have
one, and record this number in the space provided. Tally the types of damage (on live
trees only) and record your observations. Calculate the percent of damaged trees by
dividing the number of trees damaged by the number of trees observed and multiplying
by 100. Record the percent damage in the spaces provided.
PART C: If possible, identify damaging agents that are a serious threat to the health of the
plantation. Positive identification is required if the agent is present on 25% or more of
the trees are damaged. If you are uncertain about the identity of a damaging agent,
consult a local expert at one of the following locations:
Supervisory Pathologist/Entomologist
USFS TCFPM, Missoula, MT
(406) 329-3605
Forest
Pathologist/Entomologist
Idaho Dept. of Lands
Coeur d'Alene, ID
(208) 664-2171
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TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
Forest Pathologist/Entomologist
Montana Dept. of State Lands
Missoula, MT (406) 542-4300
Forest
Pathologist/Entomologist
Washington DNR-Forest Pest
Mgmt.
Olympia, WA (206) 753-0617
PART D: Use Part D to record additional observations such as the presence of male or female
flowers or cones, the overall vigor of the plantation, or activities required to maintain
the plantation.
Send copies of the Quick Check form to the appropriate IETIC Species Director and the IETIC
Data Analyst. If you are evaluating a USFS plantation, send an additional copy to the R-1 Tree
Improvement Data Manager.
530.5 - Thinning. Plantations may be scheduled for thinning any time after the test trees come
into competition with one another. Guidelines for thinning will be developed by each individual
species group and will be provided to the plantation manager at that time.
530.6 - Fertilization. Do not fertilize evaluation plantations. Future tests may be selected for
fertilization trails, and depending on the results, future policy may change. Plantation managers
intending to fertilize plantations regularly may want this information since there is evidence on
other species of differential family response to fertilizers.
530.7 - Recording Management Activities. Record all management activities having effect on
seedling survival and growth on the Management form, R1-FS-2470-23 (5/84), (see Exhibit 4).
530.8 - Questions. Direct questions about particular management practices to the Forest
Silviculturist or the Selective Breeding Specialist. Talk to the Forest Silviculturist about your
observations on growth, survival, animal and/or insect pests, etc. The Forest Silviculturist will
know of other plantation mangers who have handled similar situations.
540 - MEASUREMENTS
540.1 - Measurements. Height measurements are scheduled at regular intervals for all tests.
For most species a baseline measurement will be made after the first, second, or third growing
season and at 5-year intervals thereafter. Depending upon the species work plan and the age and
purpose of the test, other measurements, such as diameter, form, shoot length (DF), rust (WP),
and damage may be taken at the same time.
The species measurement schedules will be reflected in the Forest 10-Year Tree Improvement
Plan. Plantation managers will be provided with the necessary training to ensure that the data is
taken correctly.
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540.2
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
540.2 - Timing of Measurements. While survival checks may be made at any time of year,
height measurements are not to be made during the growing season. Height measurements are
scheduled for the fall after growth has ceased and buds are set or prior to bud expansion in the
early spring. In general, fall measurements are most desirable.
540.3 - Data Taking Format. After a newly established test plantation has been planted and the
mapping completed and sent to data management, a computer map of the plantation is created.
The computer map shows the replication number, the row and column numbers, and the family
number. The computer map data set is used either to generate field forms upon which additional
columns are provided for recording measurement data, or it is down loaded into field recorders
which have been programed to receive additional measurement data. Most plantations will be
measured using field recorders.
540.4 - Survival Check. All evaluation plantations must have a complete survival check after
the first growing season (i.e., every tree inspected). Some species plans may call for a complete
survival check after the second growing season also. In subsequent years survival can be
checked in conjunction with Quick Checks or during routine walk-throughs.
540.5 - Identification Check. Although the original plantation map was double checked at the
time of establishment and the computer map verified by Data Management, identity should be
checked again at the time of the first survival check by checking the identification number listed
against visible tags. Any errors found should be noted. Henceforth, the data set identification
will be regarded as being the true identification. Be aware that border trees and dummy trees
are coded with "0's" or in some other manner to differentiate them from test trees and that
unplantable spots are left blank. It is unlikely a map error may be found in single tree
identification. However, certain errors are readily apparent: if a map has been inverted, if
sections were accidentally left unmapped, etc.
540.6 - Baseline Measurements. A Base-line measurement of the plantation may be made
within the first few years following establishment. The purpose of this measurement is to
provide a starting point for which all subsequent measurements can be compared. The timing of
this data collection will vary with plantation and is not the same for all species but will always
include survival, damage, and height.
540.7 - Height Measurements. Height measurements are scheduled at regular intervals for all
tests and may differ depending on species. Height is measured and recorded in metric units,
(i.e. decimeters, centimeters). Trees whose tops have been damaged or clipped should be
measured to the tallest live part. If a side branch is beginning to turn up, extend that branch
upward and measure from the ground to the farthest extension of that branch. Trees that have
fallen over (because of snow or frost heaving) should be "propped up" with a rock or other
material and measured to their fullest height. A tree that is leaning and has a side branch taking
the dominant position should be measured from the ground to the top of that branch.
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540.9
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
540.8 - Diameter Measurements. How soon diameter measurements will be scheduled is
dependent on average tree size in the tests and will vary between species and plantations. As
the trees get bigger and height becomes harder to measure, diameter will become the most
important measurement of growth. Measure and record diameter at breast height (not at a
branch whorl) to the nearest centimeter, A paint mark at breast height will ensure consistency
of measurement from year to year.
540.9 - Data Collection Codes. Listed below are descriptions of each of the survival and damage
codes used by the Forest Service and the IETIC. Codes were revised in 1987 in an attempt to
make data collection more efficient and to obtain more useful information from test plantations.
Survival: Each tree should receive one, and only one survival code. The survival
codes are:
CODE
SURVIVAL
DEFINITION
0
Dead, Missing
No explanation needed here, but
caution should be exercised to ensure
that a tree coded as dead is really
dead. On several occasions trees
have "magically" come back to life
after having been recorded as dead.
1
Alive
Alive.
Terminal Damage: This is used to record damage to the current years terminal and/or
damage to a terminal since the last measurement. Record only damage from agents
other than those listed in the "sepcific damage" and "location of damage" columns. This
code is used to determine which height measurements should be excluded from "standard
Analyses". Use code 1 only when damage appears to have affected height growth.
CODE
TERMINAL DAMAGE
DEFINITION
0
No
No terminal damage.
1
Yes
Terminal damaged; height growth
will be affected.
Specific Damage: At this time the Damage and Location of damage codes are only used
in white pine tests. Specific damage will not be recorded for other species unless
instructions specify such assessments at the time of measurement.
CODE
0
DAMAGE
DEFINITION
None
No significant damage.
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1
Rust
Tree infected with white pine blister
rust.
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540.10
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
Location of Damage: Codes refers to location of the damage recorded above. If the
terminal is damaged, a location of '1' would be recorded regardless of any damage at
other locations. If the terminal is not damaged the crew would than record stem damage
(Code '2') if it occurred, regardless of any lateral branch damage. A tree that had only
lateral branch damage would receive a location code of '3'. Remember, with this
hierarchical coding procedure you should only use one code per tree.
CODE
LOCATION
DEFINITION
1
Terminal Damaged
Stem or lateral damage may or may
not be present.
2
Stem Damage
No terminal damage. Lateral
damage may or may not be present.
3
Lateral Damaged
Used for trees with lateral branch
damage only.
540.10 - Comments. Incidental information that is not covered by a code and cannot therefore
be entered into the field recorder must be noted on a comment sheet. Waterproof comment
sheets will be provided along with the field recorders for this purpose. Handwritten comments
should identify the plantation name, replication number, row and column number, and family
identity, as well as what was observed.
540.11 - Sample Size. Regularly scheduled survival checks and measurements will be made on
every test tree in the plantation unless specified otherwise. Interim survival checks and monthly
Quick Checks will be by sample at the discretion of the individuals making the check.
540.12 - Data Editing and Submission. At the end of each day when tests are being measured,
the field recorders will be down loaded into the Data General and the accumulated data protected
from possible loss due to malfunction of the field recorder. When the measurement of the test
plantation is complete, the data is down loaded onto the Data General and put in a dumpfile for
retrieval by the Data Manager at the Forestry Sciences Lab. Procedures for up loading and
down loading data to and from the Data General to the field recorders is discussed in Chapter
900.
540.13 - Data Analysis. The Data manger will edit the data set and will provide a summary of
each plantation measurement. The summary will show survival and mortality, damage, average
height, etc. If the data is to be used to select see orchard material, a statistical analysis will be
made of the data by the Forest Service Data Manager under the guidance of the genetics staff at
the Intermountain Station. Data Management is described in more detail in Chapter 900 of this
handbook.
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550
TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
550 - CONTINGENCY MEASUREMENTS
Opportunistic Measurements (Contingency Measurements). Damaging agents may need to be
monitored to detect and quantify damage and/or resistance that might be genetically controlled.
Contingency sampling is designed for this purpose and should be considered if damage has
affected at least 25% of the trees. If a contingency measurement is decided upon, data will have
to be collected for each tree in the plantation. Otherwise, during regularly scheduled
measurements, data should be collected only on damaging agents that can be assessed at every
measurement (e.g., blister rust for white pine).
The Regional Geneticist and his/her staff will need to decide which potential damaging agents
are important enough to warrant a selection program for resistance to them. With this approach,
the types of trees selected will be those that exhibit some genetically controlled characteristics
that make them more resistant to the damaging agent. Examples of such characteristics are frost
resistance, drought resistance, resistance to snow breakage, or various insect and disease
organisms. Contingency measurements are not designed to track damaging agents that are not
selective, such as gophers, big game etc. These agents will be identified during routine quick
checks, and should be controlled on a routine basis.
Procedures for tallying damaging agents will be developed as the situation arises for each
damaging agent and individual test plantation.
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