Tree DataTree Data

National Manual Version 1.61

Section 5.0

Subplot NumberSubplot Number

1 Center subplot2 North subplot3 Southeast subplot4 Southwest subplot

Tree Record NumberTree Record Number

• Three digit code unique on each subplot

• SK 1, 3 & 9: Start at 001

Condition Class NumberCondition Class NumberRecord the Condition Class Number where the tree is located

Condition # 2

Pine Plantation

Condition # 1

Clearcut stand

AzimuthAzimuth• Record the azimuth from subplot or

microplot center to the center of the base of each tally tree

• Reference all trees > 5.0 inches to the subplot

• Reference all trees > 1.0 and < 5.0 inches to the microplot

Horizontal DistanceHorizontal Distance• Record the HORIZONTAL distance

from subplot or microplot center to the center of the base of each tally tree

• Reference all trees > 5.0 inches to the subplot

• Reference all trees > 1.0 and < 5.0 inches to the microplot

• Use slope correction table on coding summary sheets

Present Tree StatusPresent Tree Status(formerly Tree History)(formerly Tree History)

Record the appropriate code that identifies the status of each tree on the plot:

1 Live Tree

2 Dead

Lean AngleLean AngleNew ItemNew Item

• Record the code that describes the angle of lean from vertical of the tree from the base to top of actual length.

• Trees supported by other trees or by their own branches are considered standing.

0 Standing (less than 45 degrees of lean)

1   Down (more than 45 degrees of lean)

SpeciesSpecies• Record the appropriate tree species code

• Use code 299 for unknown dead conifers and 999 for unknown dead hardwoods when the generic or species codes cannot be used.

• The generic codes (e.g. 400, 540) should only be used when you are sure the species is on the species list, but you cannot differentiate among acceptable species.

Current Diameter at Current Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)Breast Height (DBH)

Measure diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground with the following exceptions:

Current Diameter at Current Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)Breast Height (DBH)

Measure diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground with the following exceptions:

4.5’

3.5’

Diameter point

Pith intersection

Figure 11. Forked between 1.0-4.5 ft.

Length To Diameter Length To Diameter Measurement PointMeasurement Point

• For those trees measured directly at 4.5 ft above the ground, leave this item blank

• If the diameter is measured above 4.5 ft, record the actual length from the ground, to the nearest 0.1 in

Tree ClassTree Class Crown Class Crown Class

No changes

Crown RatioCrown Ratio

Recorded to the nearest 1 percent

Compacted Ratio

Vs.

Uncompacted Ratio

Tree GradeTree Grade Percent Board Foot Cull Percent Board Foot Cull

No changes

Percent Rotten/Missing CullPercent Rotten/Missing Cull(formerly Cubic Foot Cull)(formerly Cubic Foot Cull)

• Record the percentage of rotten and missing cubic-foot volume from a 1-foot stump to the 4-inch top to the nearest 1 percent

• Do not include volume that is missing due to a broken top

• Only include volume to the top of Actual Length

Total &Total &Actual LengthActual Length

• TOTAL LENGTH is to the nearest 1 foot from ground level to the tip of the apical meristem. If the tree has a broken or missing top, estimate what the total length would be if there were no missing or broken top.

• ACTUAL LENGTH – for trees with broken or missing tops, record the length of the remaining portion of the tree.

Length MethodLength MethodNew ItemNew Item

Record the code that indicates the method

used to determine tree lengths:

2  Total length is visually estimated, actual length is measured with an instrument.

3  Total and actual lengths are visually estimated.

1 Total and actual lengths are field measured with a measurement instrument

Fusiform/Comandra Fusiform/Comandra Rust/Hardwood DiebackRust/Hardwood Dieback

New ItemNew Item

Record the incidence of fusiform, comandra rust or dieback.

0         None

1         Fusiform, Comandra Rust: Only on slash and loblolly

2         Dieback: HARDWOODS ONLY

Dieback SeverityDieback Severity

Record the severity of hardwood dieback

1 = 10 to 19%

2 = 20 to 29%

Etc….

DamageDamage

Covered later today

Decay Decay ClassClassNew New ItemItem

Recorded on standing dead trees only

Tree NotesTree NotesNew ItemNew Item

Record notes to explain or describe another variable

Remeasurement of Remeasurement of Prism PlotsPrism Plots

National Manual Version 1.61

SUPPLEMENT B

Data Collected on Prism TreesData Collected on Prism Trees

PRISM POINT#/TREE#

PRISM TREE STATUS

PAST TREE STATUS

NEW TREE RECONCILE

LEAN ANGLE

SPECIES

CURRENT DBH

PREVIOUS DBH

DIAMETER CHECK

LENGTH TO DBH POINT

TREE CLASS

PERCENT ROTTEN/MISSING CULL

TOTAL LENGTH

ACTUAL LENGTH

LENGTH METHOD

CAUSE OF DEATH

MORTALITY YEAR

UTILIZATION CLASS

TREE NOTES

Prism Point #/Tree#Prism Point #/Tree#

• No change

• Record the 1-digit point number and 2-digit tree number for each tree on the prism plot

Prism Tree StatusPrism Tree Status(Formerly Prism Tree History)(Formerly Prism Tree History)

0 No status – Tree was incorrectly tallied at the previous survey or currently is not tallied due to definition or procedural change.

1 Live tree

2 Dead tree

3 Removal – tree that has been cut or killed by direct human activity relating to harvesting, silviculture or land clearing.

4 Missing – A tree was tallied in previous inventory but now is missing due to natural causes such as landslide, fire, etc.

Past Tree StatusPast Tree Status

1 Live tree

2 Dead tree

SK = 2 Plots only: Record the past tree status of remeasured trees:

New Tree ReconcileNew Tree Reconcile

• For remeasured locations only

• Record a NEW TREE RECONCILE for any new tally tree that was not tallied in the previous inventory

• This code is used to identify the reason a new tree appeared in the inventory.

New Tree Reconcile CodesNew Tree Reconcile Codes1 Ingrowth – New tally tree that has grown into

the plot, and does not qualify as through growth

2 Through Growth – New tally tree 5.0 inches DBH or larger within the old co-located microplot that was a seedling at the last inventory

3 Missed Live Tree – A live tree missed at previous inventory and that is live, dead or removed now

4 Missed Dead – A dead tree missed at previous inventory and that is dead or removed now.

DBH for Remeasured TreesDBH for Remeasured Trees• Take DBH at the same location as the previous

crew unless it is not physically possible

• Exception 1: Take diameter at the new location if the old Length to DBH is more than 12 inches from where the new rules dictate

• Exception 2: If previous DBH was estimated, take DBH at the new location even if it is within 12 inches of old diameter

• Assign a DIAMETER CHECK code of 2 whenever the point of remeasurement is moved.

Cause of DeathCause of Death

• Record the cause of death for all trees that have died, been cut since the previous survey.

• If cause of death cannot be reliably estimated, record unknown/not sure.

10 Insect

20 Disease

30 Fire

40 Animal

50 Weather

60 Vegetation (suppression, competition, vines/kudzu)

70 Unknown/not sure/other

80 Human

90 Physical (hit by falling tree)

Mortality YearMortality Year

• Record the estimated year that remeasured trees died or were cut

• Examples: 1998, 1999, 2000, etc.

Utilization ClassUtilization ClassRecord the code to identify cut trees that have

been removed from the site: 

00 Not utilized

11 Commercial utilization – some portion of the tree removed for commercial purposes

12 Non-commercial utilization – some portion of the tree removed for non-commercial purposes