Forest Biometrics - FOR 205
Lab 6 - Line Strip Sampling
Part I … Measuring a few trees.
You will measure all pine trees 5.6 inches DBH and greater on a single, one-chain wide
strip per crew. For each tree, record its product class, DBH (nearest inch), and
merchantable height (nearest 1/2 log - assume 16 foot logs). Record field data on the
provided tally sheets; one tally sheet will be used for each strip. We will combine the
strips from all crews to build our stand and stock table. Remember to maintain accurate
records of strip number and strip length, check borderline trees (i.e., strip width) with a
tape, and “square-off” strip ends, where necessary.
Pine trees will be classified into two product classes:

PULP: Any pine tree where 5.6  DBH  9.6 inches. Trees where DBH  9.6
inches that are too crooked or rough to be considered sawtimber may be
considered pulp. However, if the trees are clean and large enough to be
sawtimber, then do not classify them as pulpwood. Merchantable top DIB = 4
inches.

SAWTIMBER: Any pine tree where DBH  9.6 inches should be classified as
sawtimber, unless it is classified as pulp. The merchantable top dib = 8 inches.
Part II … Constructing a stand and stock table.
Using the data collected from your line-strip sample, construct a stand and stock table.
Use proper table formats. For each 1-inch diameter class, I should see:

Product & Species Class

Trees Per Acre (nearest 0.1 tree)

Basal Area Per Acre (nearest 0.01 square foot)

Cubic-foot Volume Per Acre (nearest 0.1 cubic-foot)

Doyle Board-foot Volume Per Acre (nearest 0.1 board-foot)

Tons Per Acre (using Texas Forest Service Conversion Ratio – nearest 0.1 ton)
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All volumes will use Girard Form Class 80 tables. Cubic-foot per acre volume will be
calculated for sawtimber and pulpwood, while board-foot volume per acre will be
calculated only for sawtimber (i.e., leave the board-foot column blank or put zeros for
pulpwood). Tons per acre should be calculated from cubic-foot per acre volume using
the Texas Forest Conversion Factors that we discussed in class. Include sub-totals for
species-product classes as well as the grand total.
Part III … Memorandum
After you have completed steps I and II, write a short memo to me describing the results
of your line-strip sample. You should address the line-strip sampling process; so,
include comments about the equipment that you used, the form class volume tables and
volume:weight conversion ratios that you used, how you calculated the expansion
factor, how you measured limiting distances, and other important things in your field and
analytical methods. You should also use the stand and stock table numbers to
quantitatively describe the forest structure; so, include comments about the dominant
species and product class, what diameter classes represent the majority of the volume
& tons, and other important factors that you want the reader to know about the stand
structure. Make sure to not exceed two or three double-spaced pages for the memo.
Think about what you have done (steps I and II), highlight the important items in your
mind, and turn those thoughts into a memo.
Each person must turn in a memo, stand and stock table, and the tally sheets.
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