Forestry Measurements Ms. Dombroski September 2005.

Forestry MeasurementsForestry Measurements

Ms. DombroskiMs. Dombroski

September 2005September 2005

Pre-readingPre-reading

Website readingWebsite reading http://forestry.msu.edu/uptreeid/Histhttp://forestry.msu.edu/uptreeid/Hist

ory/Modern.htmory/Modern.htm

After your finished take a look at After your finished take a look at “Facts About “Facts About Today'sToday's Michigan Michigan Forests” Forests”

Let’s ReviewLet’s Review

What are our most popular trees?What are our most popular trees?

Who owns the most forested land in Who owns the most forested land in Michigan?Michigan?

Where is the majority of our forest?Where is the majority of our forest?

Why are forests important?Why are forests important?

PacingPacing How far is one step? that is your paceHow far is one step? that is your pace

Everyone's will be different, you must Everyone's will be different, you must remember yoursremember yours

We’ll measure out 1 chain (66ft) We’ll measure out 1 chain (66ft)

You will practice walking this distance You will practice walking this distance to get an average pace measureto get an average pace measure

Percent Crown CoveragePercent Crown Coverage

From a point looking up, what % of the From a point looking up, what % of the sky is covered (no light gets through)sky is covered (no light gets through)

Our measurement tool is called an ocular Our measurement tool is called an ocular tubetube

We will be We will be

making our own making our own

and using them and using them

outsideoutside

Ocular TubeOcular Tube

Hold it above your face just an inch Hold it above your face just an inch or so, you see several squares, or so, you see several squares, their either covered or nottheir either covered or not

Count the ones covered Count the ones covered

Multiply this number by 4 to get Multiply this number by 4 to get 100% canopy cover100% canopy cover

From spot one move 5 paces From spot one move 5 paces rerecord, repeat until you have 8 rerecord, repeat until you have 8 readings readings

This represents 25%

Creating a Ocular TubeCreating a Ocular Tube You will Need:You will Need:

2.5” wide Square PVC Pipe – 6” in 2.5” wide Square PVC Pipe – 6” in LengthLength

Fine-Gauge Wire (Floral Wire)Fine-Gauge Wire (Floral Wire) SawSaw Drill w/ very small bitDrill w/ very small bit

Drill 4 evenly spaced holes on each Drill 4 evenly spaced holes on each side of PVC, ½ “ apartside of PVC, ½ “ apart

Thread wire through holes in a grid Thread wire through holes in a grid pattern.pattern.

What is a Board Foot?What is a Board Foot?

12”long X 12”wide by 1” thick12”long X 12”wide by 1” thick This is the measurement marketable This is the measurement marketable

timber is sold by (144 cubic inches per timber is sold by (144 cubic inches per bd ft)bd ft)

So if we have a 2X4 that’s 8ft long, how So if we have a 2X4 that’s 8ft long, how many Bd ft is that?many Bd ft is that?

2inch x 4inch (8ft x 12in/ft) = 768 2inch x 4inch (8ft x 12in/ft) = 768 cubic/incubic/in

768/144 = 5.33 bd ft768/144 = 5.33 bd ft 12”12”1”

Practicing Bd ftPracticing Bd ft

We cut a 1 ½ x 8 on our sawmill in We cut a 1 ½ x 8 on our sawmill in the bullpen, its 10ft long. What’s the the bullpen, its 10ft long. What’s the bd ft?bd ft?

1.5x8 (10ft x 12in/ft) = 1440 cubic ft1.5x8 (10ft x 12in/ft) = 1440 cubic ft 1440/144 = 10 Bd Ft1440/144 = 10 Bd Ft

Diameter at Breast HeightDiameter at Breast Height This is 4 ½ feet from the level groundThis is 4 ½ feet from the level ground This helps us decide marketable timberThis helps us decide marketable timber The sectional area is also called Basal The sectional area is also called Basal

areaarea

We will use both;We will use both; diameter tape anddiameter tape and the Biltmore stick the Biltmore stick

Height in logs or boltsHeight in logs or bolts

Logs - 16ft marketable Logs - 16ft marketable section of a hardwood treesection of a hardwood tree

Bolts –8ft marketable section Bolts –8ft marketable section of a coniferous treeof a coniferous tree

This is measured until a This is measured until a break in the bowl (trunk) on break in the bowl (trunk) on hardwoods or 8” diameterhardwoods or 8” diameter

And measured up to a 4” And measured up to a 4” diameter on pinesdiameter on pines

Measuring Marketable TimberMeasuring Marketable Timber

We use # of logs and DBH to figure We use # of logs and DBH to figure Marketable timber or volumeMarketable timber or volume

By looking at the “How much Lumber By looking at the “How much Lumber is in that Tree” handout we see there is in that Tree” handout we see there is more than one way to figure this is more than one way to figure this amountamount

Aging TreesAging Trees

Taking a core Taking a core samplesample

Counting sections of Counting sections of limbs on coniferslimbs on conifers

Tree cookiesTree cookies

Density of Trees per AcreDensity of Trees per Acre

Usually estimates by 1/10 acre plotsUsually estimates by 1/10 acre plots Done in several random areas of a Done in several random areas of a

standstand These areas are then averagedThese areas are then averaged 1/10 plot = a circle with a 37.2ft 1/10 plot = a circle with a 37.2ft

radiusradius 37.2

At higher densities, the growth rates of individual trees slow down because there are more trees competing for the site's limited resources.