Establishing Plots

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

Determination of “IN” Trees 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 Correction Slope Limiting Distance SLD = HLD X SCF or HLD = SLD/SCF SCF means Slope Correction Factor

Slope Correction 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

Problem Trees – Forked Trees 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

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

Data Recording

Manual Method Dot-Dash Tally

Field Aids 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

Recording Equipment 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

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

Electronic Data Recorders 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.