 Area Based Methods
 Tree Based Methods

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Strip Cruise
Fixed Plot
Point Sampling
Remote Sensing
 Fixed Count
 Fixed Count Measure
 Fixed Plot with 3P subsample
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Point Count Measure
Point Sampling with 3P subsample
 3P Point Sampling
Main Types Varieties for specific applications

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For stands too variable in density to plot cruise or where trees are not suitable for cruising by other methods
Examples – partial cutting, small clearcuts, stratification by species or size class is desired
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Small or irregular shaped harvest units
Widely scattered trees
Very large stands
Used where a wide volume range occurs within a species group
Measure as few trees as possible
Cut tree marking
Not used in this region
Sample Tree Method 3P

Strips could be randomly allocated. Hard to stratify without bias.

Area Based Methods
Strip Cruising
Disadvantages of strip cruising:
1. Inaccurate estimation of strip width may lead to errors.
2. Difficult to maintain a straight strip centerline.
3. Brush and windfall are more of a hindrance in this system.
4. Spot-checking the cruise is difficult: strip centerline is rarely marked.

 Best for low value products
 Best for even-aged, single canopy and species stands (tree farms)
 Needs recent high resolution photos
 Pre-sampling needed to establish relationships i.e. volume versus canopy cover estimates
 Photos must be geo-referenced

1.
2.
Locate Plot Center
Temporarily mark plot center with wire flag or paint for instance
3.
4.
Plot size targets 4 to 8 trees per plot
Use same size plot throughout
5.
Plot radius checked with hipchain
Pacing is less accurate

 Plot center to tree center
 Horizontal Limiting Distance
HLD = Plot Radius – (0.5 X DBH/12)
 Must be corrected for slope if steeper than 10%

 Slope Limiting Distance
SLD = HLD X SCF or HLD = SLD/SCF
 SCF means Slope Correction Factor

Fixed plot size (acre) = ¼
Plot radius = 58.9 feet
Measured distance to tree face = 59.8 feet
DBH = 12.6 inches or 1.05 feet
DBH/2 = .525 feet
Slope percent = 20
Slope correction factor = 1.02
Limiting Distance =
In or Out =
SLD = (58.9 - 0.525) X 1.02
= 58.375 X 1.02 = 59.5
Out by 0.3 feet

if the boundary passes through the center of the tree at
DBH, count as
IN

Problem Trees – Leaning Trees if the boundary passes through the center of the tree at
DBH, count as IN

Problem Trees – Broken or Down
Trees locate breast height at 4 and 1/2 feet above the root collar as the tree lies on the ground. If this point lies on or inside the plot boundary, the tree is IN

 Must be tallied as having no trees for correct expansion factor to apply to whole site.

 Dot-Dash Tally

 Species Codes
 Tree Codes
 Location Codes
 Tree and Log Grading Rules
 Percentage Deduction Tables
 Standard upper limit Diameter Outside
Bark (DOB) by species
 Limiting distance tables for point-sampling
 Stratification guides

 Compass and/or GPS
 Clinometer or laser to determine slope
 D-Tape
 100 foot tape or hipchain
 Flagging and/or paint
 Prism or angle gauge for point cruising
 Hypsometer
 Pencil and paper or Data Recorder

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Date = 8/19/2013 Size = 1/10
Stand Size and Condition = th acre Forest Cover Type =
Stand Age = Stocking or Density Class =
Site Index = Slope =
Understory Vegetation =
Soil Classification =
Treatments needed =
Plot = 1
Tree Species DBH
1 RO 14
2
3
SP
YP
Plot = 2
Etc.
16
18
Form Class
78
80
82
Height
1.5
2
2.5
Grade
2
2
1
Crown Class Notes

 Pocket Dog
 FS Cruiser
 If your field data recorder has built in
GPS – even better. Can include location in tally data for periodic rescaling, etc.