Session XXIX - Forest menstruation

Total Time: 3½ hours

Goals:

- To have each trainee construct their own cruiser stick and learn how to use it.
- To instruct trainees in forest mensuration and provide a simple method for determining forest volume.
- To look at helping skills.

Overview

In this session participants will make a Biltmore Stick and learn how to use it in forest measurement. One of the trainees who has taken on making a Biltmore Stick instructs other trainees. Trainees look at one another's helping skills and give feedback.

Exercises:

1. Construction and use of a cruiser stick.
2. Lecture on forest mensuration.
3. Groups: Helping skills.

Materials:

Flip chart, marker pens, tape

- 1 board 1 meter long X 5 cm wide X 1 or 2 meters thick for each trainee
- Number table
- Knife to scratch graduation marks
- Waterproof pen to identify graduation
- Conversion factors for U.S. and metric units

Exercise I - Construction and Use of Cruiser Stick

Total Time: 2 hours

Overview

In this exercise trainee instructs other trainees in the construction and use of cruiser stick which is an instrument that can be used as:

a) Biltmore Stick - to measure tree diameter
b) Merritt Hypsometer - to measure tree height
c) Meter Stick - to measure length

Procedures

Time	Activities
15 minutes	1. Trainee/Instructor has all necessary materials assembled for this exercise. He/she then gives a brief lecture on the purpose of a cruiser stick using one he/she has made for demonstration.
45 minutes	2. Trainee/instructor now shows participants how to make their own cruiser stick and the participants do so.
	3. Trainee/instructor along with technical instructor takes trainees who have been divided up into small groups with a 1 hour forester in each group out to a stand of trees and trainees practice using cruiser stick for measuring trees. In turn, they calculate the volumes of trees using table provided.

Trainer's Note: We have included here number tables or formulae to calculate graduations on cruiser stick but suggest that trainee who takes this on as a special project figure out these tables for him/herself.

We have also given conversion factors for U.S. and Metric Unit Charts to participants during this exercise.

CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF A CRUISER STICK

Cruiser Stick:

a. Biltmore stick - measure tree diameter,
b. Merritt Hypsometer - measure tree height,
c. Meter stick - measure length.

Materials:

a. Board: 1 meter long X 5 cm wide X 1 or 2 cm thick.
b. Number table or formulas to calculate graduations.
c. Knife to scratch permanent graduation marks.
d. Pen with waterproof ink to identify graduations and v rite needed information on stick.

I. BILTMORE STICK - To measure tree diameter.

A. Construction

Use hardwood board (1 meter long), knife, and marker. First determine reach. Reach is the distance from cruiser's eye to the stick held out in front of his/her hand. Find if your reach (eye to outstretched hand holding boars) is more comfortable at 57cm or 65cm. Graduations for specified reaches of 57 to 65 cm are on the number table. Starting from the left end graduate the stick using the number table. The number table provides graduations for measuring DBHs of 1 - 153 centimeters. DBH marks are placed every C, centimeters from the left end of the stick.

If a number table is not available for your specified reach it is possible to construct one using the following formula:

G = D²R/D + R

Where:

C = distance (cm) from zero mark left end of stick to D-cm graduations,
D = diameter mark (cm) currently being placed on stick,
R = reach in centimeters.

Fig. 39 - Use of the Biltmore Stick showing similar triangles.

B. USE OF THE BILTMORE STICK:

1. The Biltmore stick is held against the tree with the line of sight to the left side of the tree crossing the zero end of the scale. The diameter of the tree is then read at the point where the line of sight, to the right side of the tree crosses the scale (see figure 1).

2. The following precautions must he observed to obtain accurate readings with the Biltmore Stick:

a. The stick must be held against a tree.
b. The stick must be perpendicular (at right angles) to the trunk of the tree.
c. The stick must be perpendicular to the imaginary line between the observer and the tree.
d. The cruiser's head must not be moved during the measuring operation.
e. The stick is calibrated for a specified reach. This means that the cruiser's eye must be exactly the specified distance from the stick.

II. MERRITT HYPSOMETER - To measure tree height.

A. CONSTRUCTION

The Merritt Hypsometer scale for measuring tree height in meters is placed on the back side of the cruiser stick. This scale is calibrated for the same reach as the Biltmore Stick on the other sine.

The Merritt is designed for use at a particular distance from the tree (30 meters for graduations on number chart). This base distance of 30 meters should be printed on the scale. Graduations, beginning with zero at the bottom of the stick, are found on the number table for your specified reach. Using the number table, tree heights of 1 - 40 meters can be measured.

If a number table is not available for your specified reach it is possible to construct one using the following formula:

L + H x R/B

Where:

L = length (cm) to be marked off on stick for each H meters of tree height,
H = tree height in meters,
B = base distance in meters,
R = reach in centimeters.

(Fig. 40)

Fig. 41 - Basis for Merritt Formula.

B. USE OF MERRITT HYPSOMETER:

1. The cruiser stands at a specified distance (30m) from the tree, with the hypsometer scale held vertically at arms' length. The bottom end of the scale is moved upward or downward until it is on the line of sight to the base of the tree. Tree height, in meters, is then read at the point where the line of sight to the upper limit of the stem intersects the scale (see figure 2).

2. The following precautions must be observed to obtain accurate readings with the Merritt Hypsometer:

a. The stick is designed for use at a particular base distance (horizontal distance) from a tree. This distance should be printed on the scale.

b. The stick is calibrated for a specified reach. This should be the same specified reach as for the Biltmore on the other side.

c. Failure to hold the stick vertically will cause inaccurate readings.

III. METER STICK - To measure length.

The stick for the Biltmore and Merritt should be 1 meter long. On the side one can add a centimeter scale. This will provide the cruiser with a handy measuring stick.

(m) TREE	cm from bottom of stick
Height Mark	57 cm reach	65 cm reach
1	1.90	2.17
2	3.80	4.35
3	5.70	6.50
4	7.60	8.67
5	9.50	10.83
6	11.40	13.00
7	13.30	15.17
8	15.20	17.33
9	17.10	19.50
10	19.00	21.67
11	20.90	23.83
12	22.80	26.00
13	24.70	28.17
14	26.60	30.33
15	28.50	32.50
16	30.40	34.67
17	32.30	36.83
18	34.20	59.00
19	36.10	41.17
20	38.00	43.33
21	39.90	45.50
22	41.80	47.67
23	43.70	49.83
24	45.60	52.00
25	47.50	54.17
26	49.40	56.33
27	51.30	58.50
28	53.20	60.67
29	55.10	62.83
30	57.00	65.00
31	58.90	67.17
32	60.80	69.33
33	62.70	71.50
34	64.60	73.67
35	66.50	75.83
36	68.40	78.00
37	70.30	80.17
38	72.20	82.33
39	74.10	84.50
40	76.00	86.67

DBH	cm from left end of stick
Mark (cm)	57 cm reach	65 cm reach
1	0.99	0.99
3	2.92	2.93
5	4.79	4.82
7	6.61	6.65
9	8.36	8.43
11	10.07	10.17
13	11.73	11.87
15	13.25	13.52
17	15.13	15.14
19	16.45	16.71
21	17.95	18.26
23	19.41	19.77
25	20.84	21.25
27	22.24	22.69
29	23.61	24.12
31	24.95	25.51
33	26.26	26.88
35	27.55	28.22
37	28.81	29.54
39	30.05	30.83
41	31.27	32.11
43	32.46	33.36
45	33.64	34.59
47	34.80	35.81
49	35.93	37.00
51	37.05	38.18
53	38.15	39.34
55	39.24	40.48
57	40.31	41.61
59	41.36	42.72
61	42.40	43.81
63	43.42	44.89
65	44.43	45.96
67	45.43	47.02
69	46.41	48.06
71	47.38	49.08
73	48.34	50.10
75	49.28	51.10
77	50.22	52.10
79	51.14	53.08
81	52.06	54.05
83	52.96	55.01
85	53.85	55.95
87	54.74	56.89
89	55.61	57.82
91	56.47	58.74
93	57.33	59.65
95	58.18	60.55
97	59.01	61.44
99	59.84	62.33
101	60.66	63.20
103	61.48	64.07
105	62.28	64.93
107	63.08	65.78
109	63.87	66.62
111	64.66	67.46
113	65.43	68.28
115	66.20	69.11
117	66.97	69.92
119	67.72	70.73
121	68.47	71.53
123	69.22	72.32
125	69.95	73.11
127	70.69	73.89
129	71.41	74.67
131	72.13	75.44
133	72.85	76.20
135	73.56	76.96
137	74.26	77.71
139	74.96	78.46
141	75.65	79.20
143	76.34	79.94
145	77.02	80.67
147	77.70	81.40
149	78.38	82.12
151	79.05	82.83
153	79.71	83.54

Conversion Factors for U.S. and Metric Units

To convert column 1 into column 2. multiply by	Column 1	Column 2	To convert column 2 into column 1 multiply by
Length
0.621	kilometer, km	mile, mi	1.609
1.094	meter, m	yard, yd	0,914
0 394	centimeter, cm	inch. In	2.54
Area
0.386	kilometer2, km2	mile², mi2	2 590
247.1	kilometer2, km2	acre, acre	0.00405
2.471	hectare, ha	acre, acre	0.405
Volume
000973	meter3, m3	acre-inch	102.8
3.532	hectoliter, hl	cubic foot, ft3	0.2832
2.838	hectoliter, hl	bushel, bu	0.352
0.0284	liter	bushel, bu	35.24
1.057	liter	quart (liquid), qt	0.946
Mass
1.102	ton (metric)	ton (U.S.)	0.9072
2.205	quintal, q	hundredweight,	0.454 cwt (short)
2.205	kilogram. Kg	pound, lb	0.454
0.035	gram, g	ounce (avdp), oz	2X.35
Pressure
14.50	bar	lb/inch2, psi	0.06895
0.9869	bar	atmosphere, atm	1.013
0.9678	kg(weight)/cm2	atmosphere. atm	1.033
14.22	kg(weight)/cm2	lb/inch2, psi	0.07031
14.70	atmosphere, atm	lb/inch2, psi	0.06805
Yield or Rate
0.446	ton (metric)/hectare	ton (U.S.)/acre	2.240
0.892	kg/ha	lb/acre	1.12
0.892	quintal/hectare	hundredweight/acre	1.12
Temperature
(9/5 °C ) + 32	Celsius	Fahrenheit	3/9 ( °F -12)
	-17.8C	0F
	0C	32F
	20C	68F
	100C	212F
Water Measurement
8.108	hectare-meters. ha-m	acre-feet	0.1233
97.29	hectare-meters. ha-m	acre-inches	0.01028
0.08108	hectare-centimeters. ha-cm	acre-feet	12.33
0.973	hectare-centimeters, ha-cm	acre-inches	1.0:8
0.00973	meters3, m3	acre-inches	102.8
0.981	hectare-centimeters/hour. ha-cm/hour	feet3/sec	1.0194
440.3	hectare-centimeters/hour ha-cm/hour	U.S. gall./min	0.00227
0.00981	meters3/hour, m3/hour	feet3/sec	101.94
4.403	meters3/hour, m3/hour	U. S. gall./min	0.227

Exercise II - Forest Mensuration Lecture

Total Time: 1 hour

Overview

The purpose of this lecture is to acquaint the trainees with forest mensuration and provide a simple method for determining forest volume.

Procedures

Time	Activities
	1. Technical trainer gives following lecture posting lecture outline on newsprint.

OBJECTIVES: To acquaint the trainees with forest mensuration and provide a simple method for determining forest volume.

Trainer explains how volume is determined and diagrams instructions.

(Fig. 42)

Draw in how many boards can be produced out of each log depending on diameter of small end of 109.

VOLUME = end area in hoard feed/12 X length How Volume is determined - Formula rules

(Fig. 43)

Diameter small end of log

V = Area small end/12 X Length
V = 06545(D²)(Length)
Less Slab - Deduct 2" - 4" from Diameter (Variable X)
V = U6545(D - X)length

Less kerf = K/(K ± T)

Explanation of what is saw kerf

A=% of volume deduced for saw kerf
K = Thickness of saw kerf
T = Thickness of board
V= (1-A).06545(P-K)²L

Standard Volume Table

Sample trees

Altura (height) DAP (DBH) (Fig. 44)

- Trees felled and bucked into logs
- "DAP" and "altura" taken
- calculation of volumes made by log and totaled for each tree sampled
- Volumes of trees in same DAP and altura class averaged and put in tabular form

DAP	Altura
	10	15	20	25	30
14	0.081	0.103	0.126	-	-
16	0.098	0.128	0.159	-	-

Forest Area

Important: Determine area of forest

Forest stand

If it is done first or last: You have to know area of forest to compute the total volume.

Forest stand area for purposes of example calculated to be 6.5 hectares.

Planning the Field Work (Planificación de trabajo de terreno)

- Delineate Forest Types
- Make types as homogenous as possible

1 monoculture

Planted	planted	planted
1952	'52	'55
70% stocked	30% stocked	100%

Planted 1955
70% stocked

2 monocultures (native)

Major species X, Y and Z 70% stocked	Major Species A, B and C 30% stocked
	Major species A, B and C 70% stocked

Plot Layout (Sistema de Ubicación de parcelas)

Systematic

Plots rayed out at set distance from one another along a straight line: lines evenly spaced, and should cross drainages

Random

Plots located randomly - no pattern

1. Lay out on graph paper with X & Y coordinates; pick random numbers for X and Y coordinates to plot.

2. Throw beans or rice over map of area.

Plots (Parcelas)

Circular

A = r²
r² = A
r = 100m²/3.14169

(Fig. 47) 1/10 Hectares

Square (cuadrado)

(Fig. 48) 10 meters

Diameters DBH=DAP

(Fig. 49)

Heights For "shooting" tree heights all measurements are...

Fig. 50

HORIZONTAL DISTANCE

Tree Height = HD X %
Tree Height = 40 X 1.10
Tree Height = 44 meters

Field Notes

Species	Plot	DAP	ALTURA	DEFECT	Notes Volume*
	1	14	42	-0-
		18	46	10%
		26	69	-0-
	2	22	61	-0-
		28	75	10%
		32	79	-0-

Determining Volume of a Tree (Determinación de Volumen de un árbol)

(Fig. 51)

Height (Altura) = 20m

(Fig. 52)

DAP	Altura en Metras
	10	15	20
14	0.084	0.108	0.133
16	0.099	0.131	0.163

Total Volume Cruised by Forest Type

Plot No.	Total volume for each plot
1	8.172 m3
2	12.101
3	15.111
4	11.002
5	10.301
6	9.221
Total Cruise Volume	65.908 m3

	Total Volume of Stand
Total cruise volume	= 65.908 m3
Total no. of plots	= 6
65.908m3/6	= 10.985 m3/Plot (Average)
1 ha size of plot	= 1/10 ha
10.983m3/plot x 10 Plots/ha	= 109. 85m3/hectare
Area Estimation	= 6.5 has
109.85m3/Ha x 6.5 Has	= 714.025m3
	= Total Volume of Stand

Exercise III Group Helping Skills

Total Time: 1 hour

Overview

During this session, it has been necessary for generalist trainees to lean on forester trainees for help in understanding and using a cruiser stick. The generalist trainees will need further help understanding the intricacies of forest mensuration. The trainees will give feedback to forester trainees and vice versa.

Procedures

Time	Activities
½ hour	1. Technical trainer asks groups formed earlier to use cruiser sticks to regroup. Technical trainer asks forester trainees to go over forest mensuration with generalist trainees and to answer questions they may have about forest mensuration and clear up any misunderstandings. Technical trainer floats during this period and can be called on as a resource person.
	2. Groups are now asked to give each other feedback on skills transference during session: The following guidelines are posted on newsprint.
	Forester Trainee:
	2.1 Ask for feedback from others on your ability to help them.
15 minutes		- What did it feel like to be a giver of help and what can we learn from this?
		- What may be different about helping others in host country?
		- How might cultural variables affect
		- Helping relationship?
15 minutes	Generalist Trainees:
		- How can I approach others for help (Be it PCVs or HCNs)?
		- How was I perceived as a helped during this session?
		- What did it feel like to he helped and what can I learn from this?
		- Putting myself in a HCN's shoes, what might it feel like to get technical help?
	2.3 All Trainees
		- How can we apply the helping relationship to extension work in forestry?
		- What things have we learned in this exercise that might help or hinder us as extension workers?
15 minutes	2.4 Trainer asks groups for their findings on things that help/ hinder and writes them on newsprint. Forester trainer now summarizes the learnings about helping relationships.