1 From Bulletin 9, State of New York Conservation Commission (adapted in tie and pole production). 2 For every thousand feet of lumber about two-thirds of a cord of wood can also be cut from the tops. For every thousand feet of lumber about three-quarters of a cord of wood can also be cut from the tops. For every 10 ties about 1 cord of wood can also be cut from the tops. For every 10 poles about 1 cord of wood may also be cut from the tops. NOTE.-Softwoods taken to 4 inches top diameter, Northern hardwoods, beech, birch, and maple, to 4 inches top diameter. Southern hardwoods, chestnut, oak, hickory, basswood, ash, etc., to 3 inches top diameter. Estimating Standing Timber [Without volume tables] Unless the tract is large, it is desirable that every tree be estimated separately. The procedure is as follows. A notebook or sheet of paper should be ruled off in squares of a convenient size, somewhat as shown in the sample diagram below: Ft. Ins. Bd.ft. Ft. Ins. Bd.ft. Ft. Ins. Bd.ft. Bd.ft. White oak..... 16 16 16 11 16 14 Red oak..... 12 10 12 8 Sugar maple... 14 15 12 12 16 16 14 13 (Etc.) The estimator looks over each tree and makes an estimate of the number of logs that can be cut out of it. Suppose the first tree is a white oak which forks at about 50 feet from the ground. Above that point the branches are too small or too crooked to be used for saw logs. If the stump is allowed for, the merchantable length of the tree is 48 feet, or three 16-foot logs. By looking at the tree carefully the estimator decides that the diameter, inside the bark, at the top of the first 16-foot log is 16 inches. Sixteen feet farther up the diameter appears to be 2 inches less, while at the top of the third log the diameter is 11 inches, These figures are entered in the proper spaces as shown in the diagram. When each tree is estimated it should be marked in some way so that there will be no chance of its being measured again. A piece of chalk may be used, or a small blaze may be made with a hatchet. This procedure is continued, the trees being taken as they come, but only those estimated which are big enough to be merchantable. Later on the number of board feet in each of the three logs can be determined with the aid of a log rule and the total board-foot contents of the tree found by addition of the results. It is advisable to estimate the trees on a strip of fairly uniform width, continuing across the tract until the other side is reached. On the return trip the estimator can follow the outside line of the previous course. This insures getting all the trees without covering unnecessary ground. The width of the strip on which the timber is estimated will depend upon the convenience of the operator. Under average conditions 50 feet is good. This method can also be used for estimating posts or poles, or even cordwood. If posts are to be estimated the species or kind of wood, the length, and the top diameter of each should be recorded. If the facts are put down in this form the value of all the posts or of any particular class may be easily calculated. This same method can be adapted to larger tracts by 'the taking of a sufficient number of strips through the woods so that a representative sample of the entire area Is obtained. U. S. D. A.—10-1-26 |