1. Establishing Plots

2. 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

3. 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%

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

5. 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 = ( ) X 1.02
= X 1.02 = 59.5
Out by 0.3 feet

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

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

8. 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

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

10. Data Recording

11. Manual Method
Dot-Dash Tally

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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
2 SP
3 YP
Plot = 2
Etc.

15. 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.