Standard

rev.10/16/03

FOR 127 - Introduction to Forest Measurements II

Course Description

Introduces the fundamental principles and practices of timber cruising. Emphasizes fixed plot method of statistical sampling. Topics include: importance of forest measurements, forest measurement methods, and cruising and scaling methods.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

Importance of Forest Measurements

Class

2

Forest Measurement Methods

D. Lab

0

Cruising and Scaling Methods

P. Lab/O.B.I.

3

 

Credit

3

 

Prerequisite:  MAT 101(diploma), MAT 191 (degree)

Corequisite:   FOR 121, FOR 122

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

IMPORTANCE OF FOREST MEASUREMENTS

Volume determination

Compute volumes of standing timber.

 

 

 

FOREST MEASUREMENT METHODS 

15 

Tree volume

Use an engineer’s scale and protractor.

 

 

 

Site index

Measures the site index of forest land.

 

 

 

Growth rate

Use the Swedish increment borer to accurately age a tree.

 

 

 

 

Calculate growth rate of a stand of trees.

 

 

 

CRUISING AND SCALING METHODS

12 

15 

Cruising

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of the commonly used cruising methods.

 

 

 

 

List the reasons for cruising.

 

 

 

 

Discuss steps needed to compute acres from a cruise.

 

 

 

 

Determine and discuss the responsibilities of the cruiser(s) for each cruising method.

 

 

 

 

Break down cruising by products cruised.

 

 

 

 

Discuss commonly used plot forms and sizes and draw a map with a cruising grid.

 

 

 

Scaling

List the three commonly used log rules in the South.

 

 

 

 

Discuss weight and stick scaling.

 

 

 

 

Discuss log scaling procedures.

 

 

 

 

Recognize log defects, both internal and external.

 

 

 

 

Visit a sawmill.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

  

Avery, T. E. & Burkhart, H. E. (2002). Forest Measurements (fifth edition). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

Tables for Estimating Board-foot Volume of Timber. United States Department of Agriculture. Forest Service.