Cruising Approaches  Area Based Methods  Tree Based Methods

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

Tree Based Methods Sample Tree Method  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 3P  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

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

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. Strip Cruising Area Based Methods

Remote Sensing  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

Remote Sensing

Fixed Plot 1. Locate Plot Center 2. Temporarily mark plot center with wire flag or paint for instance 3. Plot size targets 4 to 8 trees per plot 4. Use same size plot throughout 5. 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 = ( ) X 1.02 = 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

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

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 = 8/19/2013Size = 1/10 th acreForest Cover Type =  Stand Size and Condition = Stand Age = Stocking or Density Class =  Site Index =Slope = Soil Classification =  Understory Vegetation =Treatments needed =  Plot = 1  TreeSpeciesDBHForm ClassHeightGradeCrown ClassNotes  1RO  2SP  3YP  Plot = 2  Etc.

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