Measuring Your Stride Michael Ferguson

Lesson Standard AG-FS-8. The student will demonstrate standard industry forest measurement methods used for forest product inventory. a.Define common forest measurement terms. b.Identify and demonstrate the use forest measurement tools.

What is stride length? -the distance from heel to heel or toe to toe when walking normally

Why is necessary to know your stride length? Foresters have to be able to accurately estimate how much volume of timber is on a plot of ground by determining the amount on a smaller plot of ground that is representative of a larger forest plot. In order to estimate the volume of wood in a forest, you must know how much land (acreage) you are estimating. If you know the acreage and can calculate the average volume of the trees on that land, you can get an Estimated Timber Volume for an entire stand of trees.

How do we find our stride length? Find a partner, a clipboard, and a pencil There are two plastic pots spaced exactly 100’ apart. Walk normally between the two pots while your partner counts your steps. Do this 5 times. Add your total paces and divide by 5 to get an average number of steps in 100 feet. Next, divide the average number of steps by 100 to get the average number of linear feet in each of your steps. Record this number and save it for future use.

I know my average stride, now what? Step off the length and width of the rectangular area behind the 500 hall. Count your steps. Multiply the steps in the length by your stride length to get the linear feet of the area’s length Do the same for the width. Area = Length X Width Area is represented by square feet. Find the square feet of the designated plot of land.

I got my Area, how do I find out the acreage of this land> To do this, simply divide the number of square feet in the plot of land by 43,560 (the number of square feet in one acre). Record what you got and compare your answers with your classmates.

Now you know how to determine acreage by foot. We will try it next time in the woods…..and figure average tree volume with the clinometers and diameter tapes. YIPPPPEEEE!!!