Attachment 2 - ANF Field Guide Procedures - CSE.pdf

Allegheny National Forest Field Guide Procedures for

Common Stand Exams Using Exams Mobile

March 2025 Rev. April 2025

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Contents Field Data Collection Procedures

Section 1 – General Information

Stand Examination Types

Setting Field Section

Setting Damages Section

Plot Section

Tree Section

Vegetation Composition Section

Cover by Species Section

Ground Surface Cover

Section 2 – Setting Data

Field 1 – Administrative Region (Ad Reg) – 2-digit

Field 2 – Administrative Forest (Ad For) – 2-digit

Field 3 – Project Name – 25-character

Field 4 – Proclaimed Region (Proc Reg) – 2-digit

Field 5 – Proclaimed Forest (Proc For) – 2-digit

Field 6 – Ranger District (Dist) – 2-digit

Field 7 – Compartment Number (Location) – 5-digit

Field 8 – Stand – 4-digit

Field 9 – Measurement Date (Meas Date) – 8-digit

Field 10 – Owner – 4-character

Field 11 – State – 2-character

Field 12 – County – 3-digit

Field 13 – Exam Level – 4-digit

Field 14 – Exam Purpose (Ex Pur) – 2-character

Field 15 – Acres – 4-digit

Field 16 – Examiner – 15-character

Field 17 – Remarks – 255-character

Section 3 – Damages

Field 1 – Damage Category (Category) – 2-digit

Field 2 – Damage Agent (Agent) – 3-digit

Field 3 – Damage Severity (Severity) – 1-digit

Section 4 – Species of Management Interest

Field 1 – Species of Management Interest (Species Code) – 3-6 character

Section 5 – Plot

Field 1 – Plot Number – 4-digit

Field 2 – Latitude/Longitude – 9-digit

Field 3 – Plot Remarks – 255-character

Section 6 – Tree Data –Variable Radius Plot (10 BAF)

Field 1 – Tag ID Number (TagID) – 4-digit

Field 2 – Tree Status (T) – 1-character

Field 3 – Tree Class – 2-character

Field 4 – Site Tree – 1-character

Field 5 – Tree Species (Species) – 3-6 character and digit

Field 6 – Tree Count (TCnt) – 3-digit

Field 7– DBH – 3-digit

Field 8 – Height (Hgt) – 3-digit

Field 9 – Wildlife Use (WU) – 2-character

Field 10 – Log Snag Decay Class (#LS) – 1-digit

Field 11 – Tree Damage (D)

Field 12: Tree Remarks – 30-character

Section 7 – Veg Composition – 26.3-foot Fixed Radius Plot (1/20th acre)

Field 1 – Total Vegetation Canopy Cover Percent (Cvr) – 3-digit

Section 8 – Ground Surface Cover

Appendices to Field Procedures

Appendix A

Damage Categories

Damage Agents

Tree Parts

Appendix B – Species List

Tree Species

Shrub Species

Vine Species

Forb Species

Graminoid Species

Appendix C – Glossary of Terms

Appendix D – Measuring DBH

Height Above Ground

Use of a Diameter Tape

Unique Scenarios

Visual Examples

Appendix E – Measuring Height

Total Tree Height

Appendix F – Measuring Age

Appendix G – Step-By-Step Guide

Create a Setting Record

Navigate to and Create the Plot

Collect the Plot Data

Appendix H – Sample Tally Forms

Tree Tally Form (CSE) – Variable Plot (10BAF)

Appendix I – Inspection Forms

Inspection Form (Common Stand Exam)

Appendix J – Data Management

Download FSVeg Exams Mobile

Decoding the Tablet Buttons

Overview of Typical Workflow

Create a Personal Template from a Regional Template

Customize your Personal Template

Create Data File from Personal Template

Preload Check

Data Report

Data Backup, Sharing and Transfer

Allegheny National Forest | Common Stand Exam Field Guide | March 2025

Field Data Collection Procedures Common Stand Exams (CSE) are used to collect essential data for determining/evaluating stand/site conditions and to inform cultural treatments.

Note: The target sampling intensity for CSEs on the ANF is 1 plot per 2 acres.

This field guide follows the Commons Stand Exam (CSE) protocol and the Exams Mobile data collection workflow. The following procedures are based upon CSE protocols that have been tailored for the Allegheny National Forest.

Note: Prior to collecting any forest inventory data using this protocol, ensure:

• The mobile device is compatible with the Exams Mobile application – i.e., Android tablets only (smartphones of any OS are incompatible).

• The operating system version for the mobile device is Android 11 or higher.

• GPS location service is enabled on the mobile device for Exams Mobile.

• The latest version of the Exams Mobile application is installed on the device.

o To determine whether the latest version of Exams Mobile is installed, launch the application and select the (?) icon in the top right corner of the Main Menu and compare the version information to the version available from the Google Play Store.

o If a newer version of Exams Mobile is available thru the Play Store, DO NOT update the application. First, remove the old version of the application from the mobile device, then install the new version from the Play Store. See Appendix J for added details.

Section 1 – General Information

Stand Examination Types

• In the CSE Protocol, there are four different stand examination types. The Quick Plot exam type is used for CSEs.

• CSE data are collected using three forms (setting, tree, and vegetation composition).

• This guide follows the Exams mobile data collection workflow.

Setting Field Section

• An X indicates that the Field is Required Information.

Field Required Info Admin Region X Admin Forest Code X Project Name X Proclaimed Region X Proclaimed Forest X Ranger District X Location X Stand X Measurement Date X Owner X State X County X Exam Level X Exam Purpose X Acres X Examiner X Remarks X

Setting Damages Section Field Required Info

Damage Category X Damage Agent X Damage Severity X

Plot Section Field Required Info

Plot Number X Latitude/Longitude X Remarks X

Tree Section

Field Required Info Tag Number X Tree Status X Tree Class X Site Tree Site Index Only Tree Species X Tree Count X

DBH X

Height Site trees Age Site Index Only Wildlife Use Snag Decay Damage Category Damage Agent Damage Severity Damage Part Tree Remarks

Vegetation Composition Section

Field Required Info Total Veg X Canopy Cover

Cover by Species Section Field Required Info

Life Form Code Species Canopy Cover User Defined Field, Interference/Residual/ Sapling

Ground Surface Cover Field Required Info

Surface Cover Code X Cover Percent X Note: For each plot only one row should be filled in. Surface Cover Code should = LITT and Cover Percent should be 100%.

Section 2 – Setting Data

• A setting is the stand in which the examination data is being collected.

• The combinations of fields in the setting form uniquely identify each stand.

• To enter in the following fields on the tablet, click on Setting Data Collection.

Field 1 – Administrative Region (Ad Reg) – 2-digit

• Region where the stand is located.

Code Description 09 Region Nine

Field 2 – Administrative Forest (Ad For) – 2-digit

• National Forest where the stand is located.

Code Description 19 Allegheny National Forest

Field 3 – Project Name – 25-character

• Record a project name.

Note: The USFS will provide the Project Name.

Field 4 – Proclaimed Region (Proc Reg) – 2-digit

• Region where the stand is located.

Code Description 09 Region Nine - Eastern Region

Field 5 – Proclaimed Forest (Proc For) – 2-digit

• National Forest where the stand is located.

Code Description 19 Allegheny National Forest

Field 6 – Ranger District (Dist) – 2-digit

• Ranger District number where the stand is located.

Code Description 02 Marienville 03 Bradford

Field 7 – Compartment Number (Location) – 5-digit

• Use the three-digit compartment preceded by two leading zeros.

• For example:

Code Description 00123 Compartment (Location) 123

Field 8 – Stand – 4-digit

• Record the stand number; no preceding zeros need to be entered.

• For example:

Code Description 0045 Stand 45

Field 9 – Measurement Date (Meas Date) – 8-digit

• Record the month, day, and year the stand exam was completed (MMDDYYYY).

Code Description 01232025 January 23, 2025

Field 10 – Owner – 4-character

• The ownership code will be the USFS.

Code Description USFS US Forest Service

Field 11 – State – 2-character

• The State in which the stand is located.

Code Description PA Pennsylvania

Field 12 – County – 3-digit

• Record the County in which the stand is located.

Code Description 047 Elk County 053 Forest County 083 McKean County 123 Warren County

Field 13 – Exam Level – 4-digit

• Record the exam level. For CSE this is the Quick Plot.

Code Description 1101 Quick plot

Field 14 – Exam Purpose (Ex Pur) – 2-character

• Record the purpose of the exam.

Code Description SE Stand Exam – determine stand composition. (default)

Field 15 – Acres – 4-digit

• Record the total stand acres; no preceding zeros need to be entered.

Code Description 0030 30 acres

Field 16 – Examiner – 15-character

• Record the individual(s) responsible for data collection – e.g., Smokey Bear.

• When entering Field 16, if the full name is longer than 15 characters, use only the last name or the first 15 letters of the last name if it is longer than 15 characters.

Field 17 – Remarks – 255-character

• Mandatory Remarks:

o Regardless of whether the non-native invasive plant (NNIP) occurrences are on or off plot, make note of the NNIP species in the Setting Remarks.

o Record stand conditions and features. Remarks may include the dominant overstory species and average timber quality; the presence or absence of regeneration;

potential harvest operability concerns like steep slopes; rock areas or large boulders, seeps/streams, or wetlands; evidence of past management or disturbance events;

widespread disease or damage; understory conditions like dense fern, thick shrub cover, a rich herbaceous layer, or open conditions; areas of non-forest vegetation; or any unique characteristics.

o Example remark sections:

LARGE DBH RED OAK WITH RED MAPLE; SOME OAK REGEN IN E HALF; DENSE MT LAUREL

ALONG RIDGE; SCATTERED HOUSE SIZED BOULDERS; SPONGY MOTH CATERPILLARS

AVERAGE QUALITY RED MAPLE WITH SOME SUGAR MAPLE AND TULIP POPLAR; MULTIPLE

SEEPS/STREAMS IN SOUTH SECTION; DENSE FERN; LITTLE REGEN; HEMLOCK WOOLY

ADEGLID PRESENT

POOR QUALITY BLACK CHERRY WITH SOME MORTALITY; MORE RED MAPLE AND BEECH IN

EAST HALF; POCKET OF BLOWDOWN ALONG NORTH BOUNDARY; NETWORK OF WELL

ROADS THROUGHOUT; THIN SOIL WITH SURFACE ROCKS

Section 3 – Damages

• Record damage seen within the stand being sampled.

• To enter data for the following fields, click on Setting Damages.

• Click on Add Damage Record to add Setting Damage fields.

• Record Setting Damages when:

o At least 10% of the stand is affected by that Damage Category.

o At least 10% of a species or a group of species are affected by that Damage

Category.

• For a complete listing of Damage Categories and related fields, see Appendix A.

Field 1 – Damage Category (Category) – 2-digit

• Record the Damages observed. For example:

Code Description 99 Physical Damage 22 Stem Decay

Field 2 – Damage Agent (Agent) – 3-digit

• Record the Damage Agent.

Code Description 021 Dieback 002 Stem Rot

Field 3 – Damage Severity (Severity) – 1-digit

• Record the Damage Severity.

Code Description % Percentage of crown affected in increments of 5% % Percentage of stem affected in increments of 5%

Section 4 – Species of Management Interest

• To enter in the following fields on the tablet, click on Species of Mgt Interest.

Field 1 – Species of Management Interest (Species Code) – 3-6 character

• Species of Management Interest (SMI) must be entered if found within the stand.

• SMI include:

o Non-native invasive plant (NNIP) species.

o Federally listed threatened or endangered plant species.

o Sensitive plant species on the Regional Forester Sensitive Species (RFSS) list.

o See Appendix B .

• Multiple species codes may be entered. For example:

Code Description

RHCA3 Rhamnus cathartica – Common Buckthorn – Non-Native Invasive Shrub FRAL4 Frangula alnus – Glossy Buckthorn – non-native invasive shrub

Section 5 – Plot

• To enter data for the following fields, click on Plot.

• Click Add Plot Record to create plot.

• Coordinates for plot locations shall be generated thru the Exams Mobile application, using the internal GPS receiver of the mobile device.

• Plots should be taken where they fall and not moved to other location to avoid thick patches of beech brush, slash piles, high basal area or other unpleasant conditions as this would bias the data.

o Plots must be moved/offset to another location if they fall too close to features that could potentially influence the structure/composition of the vegetation on the plot.

CSE plots should not be located within one chain (66-feet) of stand boundaries and OGM well pads, or within one-half chain (33-feet) of streams and roads.

o If a plot must be/is offset due to proximity to in-stand features, refer to the plot allocation for the stand and identify the direction that has the most area before encountering any of the features spelled out in the previous bullet or other plots. Then move the plot half a chain (33’) or a full chain (66’) if half a chain is not enough to effectively buffer the need for moving the plot.

o If a plot is moved/offset to mitigate the effects of in-stand features, this must be recorded in the Plot Remarks (see below).

• If a tree is recorded as an “in” tree on more than one plot (i.e., very large diameter trees with great limiting distances picked up on adjoining plots), this must be noted in the Plot Remarks – i.e., at a minimum Plot Number and tree description.

Note: Plots established incorrectly will have to be redone.

Field 1 – Plot Number – 4-digit

• Record the Plot Number for each line of tree data.

• Plot Number is automatically incremented when Add Plot Record is clicked.

Field 2 – Latitude/Longitude – 9-digit

• Click on either Latitude or Longitude field to create a popup for plot.

• Click on Get Current GPS Coordinates to update the plot location.

Field 3 – Plot Remarks – 255-character

• Mandatory Remarks: If a plot must be/is offset due to proximity to in-stand features, the rationale for relocating the plot should be noted in the Plot Remarks.

• Record additional information that is unique and/or relevant to the plot and have not been captured elsewhere.

Section 6 – Tree Data –Variable Radius Plot (10 BAF)

• To enter in the following fields on the tablet, click on Tree Data.

• Click Add Tree Record to create tree fields.

• A 10 BAF variable radius plot must be used to tally all live stems.

• Trees tallied on plot must be recorded beginning with the first tree to the North (or East of North if no tree exists directly North of plot center), then continuing the tally in a clockwise fashion until all “in” trees have been tallied.

• A horizontal mark at DBH (facing plot center) must be made on all trees tallied for the plot.

• Limiting distance must be measured to determine “in/out” status of borderline trees.

o An “X” must be made at DBH (facing plot center) on borderline trees determined to be “out” based on limiting distance measurement.

o An “+” must be made at DBH (facing plot center) on borderline trees determined to be “in” based on limiting distance measurement.

• See Appendix G for a comprehensive description of plot construction and data collection.

• See Appendix H for an example CSE paper tally form.

Field 1 – Tag ID Number (TagID) – 4-digit

• Tag ID is automatically incremented

Note: If a tree record is deleted all Tags must be manually corrected to be sequential with no gaps. This can be accomplished under Options > Change Tag ID.

Field 2 – Tree Status (T) – 1-character

• The tree status for collecting CSE data is either Live(L) or Dead(D).

Note: Many of the tree fields are not used if the tree is a dead tree, and dead trees are not required to be tallied.

Code Description

L

Live – Includes all standing trees that have at least one green point of growth. This includes deciduous trees that have lost their foliage for the season, and trees that have recently lost their leaves to defoliators, but will reflush.

D Dead – Standing trees without at least one green point of growth.

Field 3 – Tree Class – 2-character Code Class Live Vigor Damage/Snag Decay Class

AC Acceptable Y

Vigorous for its age; has potential to grow and accumulate net merchantable volume.

May have minor defects which reduce but don’t totally exclude merchantable sawlog yield; may have damaging agents in minor amounts that will not affect survival of tree for the next decade.

GS Growing Stock Y Very vigorous or would be vigorous if released.

Does not contain a merchantable sawlog but will contain one in the future.

UA Un-acceptable Y

Expected to die within the decade; net volume growth not accumulating;

deteriorating more rapidly than growing;

would not respond to release and accumulate net volume.

Severe rating for any damaging agent has been assigned; does not or will not meet minimum merchantability standards.

SV Dead (salvageable) N Contains at least one merchantable sawlog At least 25% sound.

US

Dead (non-salvageable) N

Does not contain at least one merchantable sawlog

Less than 25% sound.

Field 4 – Site Tree – 1-character Site Tree Selection Criteria

• Site Trees shall be selected from a locally defined species list. See Appendix B.

• Site Trees should be of the most common or most representative overstory species for the stand being sampled.

• Site Trees shall be of a similar age class, preferably between 50 and 120 years of age.

• Site Trees shall have been in a free-to-grow crown position since establishment – i.e., dominant or codominant, with no evidence of top damage (past or present) that may have impacted height growth, and no pronounced period of radial growth suppression.

• At least one Site Tree shall be selected from the sample trees tallied for each stand.

• For all Site Trees measure DBH, age, and height.

o DBH must be measured to the nearest on-tenth of an inch for Site Trees.

o Tolerances for measurements on a site tree are

▪ ± 0.2 inches for tree DBH

▪ ± 10 feet for total tree height

▪ ± 10 years for tree age

▪ Zero tolerance for species or specific tree selected.

• If none of the trees tallied on the plot satisfy the Site Tree selection criteria, select an off-plot tree as the Site Tree.

o For off-plot Site Trees, the bearing and distance to the Site Tree from the nearest plot must be recorded in the Tree Remarks.

• Use the following coding to designate site trees.

Code Description

S On plot Site Tree F Off plot Site Tree

Field 5 – Tree Species (Species) – 3-6 character and digit

• Record the species of every tree sampled.

• For a complete listing of common tree species codes, see Appendix B.

• For example, see below.

Code Description

PRSE2 Black cherry (Prunus serotina) ACRU Red maple (Acer rubrum) BELE Black birch (Betula lenta)

Field 6 – Tree Count (TCnt) – 3-digit

• Trees should be talled individually as “1”.

Field 7– DBH – 3-digit

• When measuring individual trees (non-Site Trees), DBH must be recorded to the nearest two-inch diameter class.

• When measuring individual trees (Site Trees), DBH must be measured to the nearest one-tenth of an inch.

• See Appendix D for additional detail on DBH measurement protocols.

• Examples of coding for the quick plot exams are listed below:

Code Measured Tree DBH (in)

2 1.0 inches diameter 10 9.0 to 10.9 inches diameter 26 25.0 to 26.9 inches diameter 32 31.0 to 32.9 inches diameter

Field 8 – Height (Hgt) – 3-digit

• Record total tree height in feet from ground surface on uphill side of stem to the tip.

• Tree heights are required for site trees when using the quick plot exam method on the ANF.

o Standing dead trees > 10-inches DBH and > 15 feet tall. Standing dead trees under <10” DBH and/or <15’ tall are not tallied.

o All trees with broken or missing top.

Note: While the data in the two bullets above (for standing dead trees and live trees with broken/missing top) are not required to be collected, if these two types of stems are tallied, they will require a height.

• See Appendix E for details on measuring tree heights.

Field 9 – Wildlife Use (WU) – 2-character

• Record stem characteristics that may indicate the presence of wildlife

Note: This field is not required.

Code Description

SC Small cavities less than 3 inches in diameter LC Large cavities greater than 3 inches in diameter LB Loose Bark FH Foraging Holes/Flaked Bark: Antler Rubs, Porcupine feeding NE Nest in tree and not in cavity

Field 10 – Log Snag Decay Class (#LS) – 1-digit

• Record the condition of standing dead trees (snags) using the table and visual guide below.

Note: This field is not required.

Code Bark Decay (Heartwood)

Decay (Sapwood) Limbs Top

Breakage Bole Form

Time Since Death

1 Tight, intact Minor None to incipient Mostly

Present May be present Intact 1-5 years

50% loose or missing

None to advanced

None to incipient

Small limbs missing

May be present Intact > 5 years

3 75% missing

Incipient to advanced

None to 25%

Few remain

Roughly one-third

Mostly intact > 5 years

4 75% missing

Incipient to advanced 26 to 50% Few remain

Roughly one-third to one-half

Losing form, soft

> 5 years

5 75%+ missing

Advanced to crumbly > 50% Absent

Roughly one-half or greater

Form mostly lost > 5 years

Field 11 – Tree Damage (D)

• Click on Tree Damage to create the tree damage section.

• Click Add Damage Record to add tree damage fields.

Note: This field is not required. Damages will be recorded as Setting Damages – i.e., damages at the stand level.

• Record the most appropriate Tree Damage code based on physical evidence.

• If a Damage Category has been recorded, Damage Severity becomes required.

• Multiple damage codes may be recorded for each tree.

o To record multiple damage codes, enter the Plot ID, Tag ID, and damage code.

o Repeat for additional tree damages.

• When recording Tree Damage for the Quick Plot exam method, it is essential to record damages to tree quality and crown condition.

• Trees with damages that fall into one of the following categories must be coded with a severity rating of at least 25 percent:

o Live trees with damage, dieback and/or disease that threaten survival of the tree (i.e., tree is not expected survive the next decade).

o Live trees that do not meet the standards for acceptable growing stock ( i.e., trees that do not have the potential to produce a Grade 3 sawlog).

o Live sawtimber-sized trees (i.e., 12-inch DBH class and larger) that contain sawlog-sized material, but are unacceptable growing stock because they will never produce a Grade 3 or better sawlog.

• When evaluating live crown health for a tree, note the the foliage on main branches.

o This measurement is somewhat subjective; leeway will be provided.

o To evaluate live crown health/crown dieback for a tree, imagine the potential fullness of the crown in the absence of dieback. Use this estimated percentage of what once existed to as the value for percentage of dieback.

• The most common Tree Damage and corresponding Damage Severity codes are listed in the table below.

• See Appendix A for a complete listing of Tree Damage Categories, Agents, Tree Parts, and Severity codes.

Code Description 99 Physical effects 22 Stem Decays

99 Physical Effects How to Code Severity (actual %)

001 Broken or missing top % of missing height 002 Dead top % of dead height 006 Crook or sweep % of bole affected 007 Checks, bole cracks % of bole affected 008 Foliage discoloration % of foliage discolored

015 Bark removal % of bole affected 021 Dieback % of crown affected 026 Open wound % of bole affected 036 Fire scar % of bole affected

22 Stem Decays How to Code Severity (actual %) 002 Stem Rot # 0-20

Field 12: Tree Remarks – 30-character

• Record information that is unique to each tree.

• For example: “LD (limiting distance)”.

Note: This field is not required.

Section 7 – Veg Composition – 26.3-foot Fixed Radius Plot (1/20th acre)

• A 26.3-foot fixed radius plot (1/20th acre) will be used to collect ocular estimates of the amount of cover by lifeform and layers for tree, shrub, and herbaceous species.

• To enter in the following fields on the tablet, click on Veg. Comp./Surf. Cover.

Field 1 – Total Vegetation Canopy Cover Percent (Cvr) – 3-digit

• Record for each 1/20th acre plot the total percent cover of all life forms. Enter the percent of ground area covered by the vertical projection of all species within the 26.3 ‘radius plot.

• The image below depicts the percent of ground area covered by only oak within the 26.3’ radius plot. This same method is used to estimate the total percent of ground area covered for all species present on the plot.

Note: The Total Vegetation is only field required in this tab for the exam.

26.3’ 26.3’

Section 8 – Ground Surface Cover

• To enter in the following field on the tablet, click on Ground Surface Cover.

• Enter the values EXACTLY as shown in the image above where:

o Surface Cover (*SurC) = LITT (Litter), and o Cover Percent (*Cvr%) = 100

Note: These data, just as highlighted, are required for FS outputs and reports run properly.

Without these fields filled EXACTLY AS ABOVE, an error will prevent the exam from being successfully uploaded into the FSVeg database.

Completing these fields as per the screenshot above (dummy data) allows ANF staff to continue using a sample design that is identical to the sample design in all prior years, thus allowing for the merging/linking of exams for stands during the spatial editing process in FSVeg spatial.

Appendices to Field Procedures Appendix A

Damage Categories Code Description

10 General insects 11 Bark beetles 12 Defoliators 13 Chewing insects 14 Sucking insects 15 Boring insects 16 Seed/cone/flower/fruit insects 17 Gallmaker insects 18 Insect predators 19 General diseases 20 Biotic damage 21 Root/butt diseases 22 Stem decays/cankers 23 Parasitic/epiphytic plants 24 Decline complexes/dieback/wilts 25 Foliage diseases 26 Stem rusts 27 Broom rusts 29 Declines 30 Fire 40 Animal damage 41 Wild animals 42 Domestic animals 50 Abiotic damage 60 Competition 70 Human activities 71 Harvest 80 Multi-damage (insect/disease) 90 Unknown 99 Physical effects

Damage Agents Category Agent Common Name

10 002 Tip moth 10 008 Weevil 10 010 Allegheny mound ant 10 023 Horntails (wood wasp)

Severity Rating for Category 10 1 = Minor 2 = Severe

Category Agent Common Name

11 000 Bark Beetles Severity Rating for Category 11 1 = Unsuccessful bole attack: pitchout and beetle brood present 2 = Strip attacks: galleries and brood present 3 = Successful current bole attack: galleries and brood present 4 = Topkill 5 = Successful attack last year 6 = Older stand

12 000 Defoliators Severity Rating for Category 12 1 = Light defoliation (1-25%), no topkill 2 = Light defoliation (1-25%), topkill = 10% 3 = Light defoliation (1-25%), topkill >10% 4 = Moderate defoliation (26-75%), no topkill 5 = Moderate defoliation (26-75%), topkill = 10% 6 = Moderate defoliation (26-75%), topkill >10% 7 = Heavy defoliation (76-100%), no topkill 8 = Heavy defoliation (76-100%), topkill = 10% 9 = Heavy defoliation (76-100%), topkill > 10%

13 000 Chewing Insects 14 000 Sucking Insects 15 000 Boring Insects 16 000 Seed/Cone/Flower/Fruit Insects 17 000 Gallmaker Insects 18 000 Insect Predators 19 000 General Diseases 20 000 Biotic Damage

Severity Rating for Categories 13 thru 20 1 = Minor 2 = Severe

Category Agent Common Name 21 000 Root/Butt Diseases

Severity Rating for Category 21 1 = Tree within 30 feet of tree with deteriorating crown, tree with diagnostic symptoms or signs, or tree killed by root disease 2 = Pathogen (sign) or diagnostic symptom detected – no crown deterioration 3 = Crown deterioration detected – no diagnostic symptoms or signs 4 = Both crown deterioration and diagnostic signs symptoms detected 5 = Bleeding present on bole 6 = Bleeding present on bole and adjacent mortality present 7 = Laboratory confirmed Sudden Oak Death

22 000 Stem Decays/Cankers Severity Rating for Category 22 0 = 0-4% rotten 2211 = Branch infections present, <50% of the crown affected

1 = 5-15% rotten 2212 = Branch infections present, = 50% of the crown affected, or any infection on bole 2 = 16-25% rotten 2213 = No bole canker and <10 infected branch tips

3 = 26-35% rotten 2214 = No bole canker and =10 infected branch tips 4 = 36-45% rotten 2215 = One of more bole cankers, and <10 infected branch tips 5 = 46-55% rotten 2216 = One of more bole cankers, and =10 infected branch tips 6 = 56-65% rotten 2217 = One conk non the stem or present at ground level 7 = 66-75% rotten 2218 = Two or more conks separated by <16 feet on bole 8 = 76-85% rotten 2219 = Two or more conks separated by = 16 feet on bole 9 = 86-100% rotten 2220 = No conks, visible decay in the interior of the bole 11 = Branch infections present, < 50% of the crown affected 12 = Branch infections present, >= 50% of the crown affected, or any infection on the bole 13 = No bole canker, and <10 infected branch tips 14 = No bole canker, and >=10 infected branch tips 15 = 1 or more bole cankers, <10 infected branch tips 16 = 1 or more bole cankers, and >=10 infected branch tips 17 = 1 conk on the stem or present at ground level 18 = 2 or more conks separated by < 16 feet on the bole 19 = 2 or more conks separated by >=16 feed on the bole 20 = No conks, Visible decay in the interior of the bole

23 000 Parasitic/Epiphytic Plants Severity Rating for Category 23 0 = Hawksworth tree DMR rating = 0; no infection 1 = Hawksworth tree DMR rating = 1; light infection 2 = Hawksworth tree DMR rating = 2; light infection 3 = Hawksworth tree DMR rating = 3; medium infection 4 = Hawksworth tree DMR rating = 4; medium infection 5 = Hawksworth tree DMR rating = 5; heavy infection 6 = Hawksworth tree DMR rating = 6; heavy infection 7 = Vine damage; less than 50% of crown involved 8 = Vine damage; 50% or more of crown involved

Category Agent Common Name 24 000 Decline Complexes/Dieback/Wilts

Severity Rating for Category 24 1 = minor 2 = severe

25 000 Foliage Diseases Severity Rating for Category 25

26 000 Stem Rusts Severity Rating for Category 26 1 = Branch infections located greater than 2 feet from tree bole 2 = Branch infections located between 6 inches and 2 feet from tree bole 3 = Bole infection or branch infections within 6 inches of bole 4 = Topkill

27 000 Broom Rusts Severity Rating for Category 27

30 000 Fire Severity Rating for Category 30 1 = minor 2 = severe

031 Wildlife 032 Human caused fire

40 000 Animal Damage, source unknown Severity Rating for Category 40

41 000 Wild Animals Severity Rating for Category 41 1 = minor 2 = severe

002 Beaver 004 Mice or voles

Category Agent Common Name 005 Pocket gophers 006 Porcupines 007 Rabbits or hares 008 Sapsucker 010 Woodpecker 013 Deer

42 000 Domestic Animals Severity Rating for Category 42

50 000 Abiotic Damage Severity Rating for Category 50 1 = minor 2 = severe

001 Air pollutants 002 Chemical 003 Drought 004 Flooding/high water 005 Frost 006 Hail 007 Heat 008 Lightning 009 Nutrient imbalances 011 Snow/ice 013 Wind/tornado 014 Winter injury

60 000 Competition Severity Rating for Category 50 1 = minor: Tree slightly deformed and has some live, terminal growth 2 = severe: Tree extremely deformed or has no live terminal growth severely reduced relative to neighbors

70 000 Human Activities Severity Rating for Category 70 1 = minor 2 = severe

001 Herbicides 003 Imbedded objects

Category Agent Common Name 70 000 Human Activities

004 Improper planting technique 005 Land clearing 006 Land use conversion 007 Logging damage 008 Mechanical 009 Pesticides 010 Roads 011 Soil compaction 012 Suppression 013 Vehicle damage 014 Road salt

90 000 Unknown Severity Rating for Category 90 0 = 0-9% affected 1 = 10-19% affected 2 = 20-29% affected 3 = 30-39% affected 4 = 40-49% affected 5 = 50-59% affected 6 = 60-69% affected 7 = 70-79% affected 8 = 80-89% affected 9 = 90-100% affected

Category Agent Common Name Metric

99 000 Physical Effects 000 Unknown 001 Broken or missing top % of missing height 002 Dead top % of dead height

Category Agent Common Name 71 000 Harvest

Severity Rating for Category 71 1 = minor 2 = severe

Category Agent Common Name 80 000 Multi-Damage (Insect/Disease)

Severity Rating for Category 80

Category Agent Common Name Metric 99 000 Physical Effects

003 Limby (large limbs top-bottom)

% of bole with many limbs/knots

004 Forked top % of height above fork 005 Forked below merch top % of bole affected 006 Crook or sweep % of bole affected 007 Cracks, bole cracks % of bole affected 008 Foliage discoloration % of foliage discolored 009 Mortality 010 Lack of seed source 011 Poor planting stock 012 Poor growth 013 Total bdft volume loss 014 Total cuft volume loss 015 Bark removal 016 Foliage loss 017 Sunscald 018 Uproot 019 Scorched foliage 020 Scorched bark 021 Dieback 022 Poor crown form 023 Severe forking 024 Canker or gall

025 Conk, fruiting body or sign of advanced decay

026 Open wound 031 Broken/dead branches

033 Damaged shoots, buds, or foliage

034 Excessively deformed sapling

036 Fire scar 037 Leaning tree

Tree Parts Code Description

UN Unspecified TO Top FO Foliar (crown) LI Limb

BO Bole, other than Top or Base

Code Description BA Base RO Roots WT Whole Tree TT Top Third of Crown MT Middle Third of Crown BT Bottom Third of Crown

Appendix B – Species List

• The Exams Mobile template for the Eastern Region contains three distinct species lists – i.e., tree species, vegetation species, and species of management interest – and these lists are not mutually exclusive.

• The species lists – derivatives of the Eastern Region species lists – have been tailored for use on the Allegheny National Forest. They include plant species to be recorded on plots within the stands being sampled, as well as species of management interest that should be recorded regardless of whether they occur on or off plot within the stand being sampled.

• Codes in the Status column indicate whether the species (in red font) is Federally threatened or endangered, included on the Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species List (Sensitive) or are non-native invasive species (NOX). These are the species that are required to be noted in

Tree Species Scientific Name Common Name Code Status tree, deciduous 2TD tree, evergreen 2TE Acer pensylvanicum striped maple ACPE Acer platanoides Norway maple ACPL NOX Acer rubrum red maple ACRU Acer saccharum sugar maple ACSA3 Aesculus spp. buckeye AESCU Ailanthus altissima tree of heaven AIAL NOX Amelanchier sp. serviceberry AMELA Betula alleghaniensis yellow birch BEAL2 Betula lenta black birch BELE Betula nigra river birch BENI Betula papyrifera paper birch BEPA Carpinus caroliniana muscle wood CACA18 Carya spp. hickory CARYA Castanea dentata American chestnut CADE12 Concern Celtis occidentalis hackberry CEOC Cercis canadensis Eastern redbud CECA4 Cornus florida flowering dogwood COFL2 Cornus L. dogwood CORNU Corylus spp. hazelnut CORYL Crataegus spp. hawthorn CRATA Fagus grandifolia American Beech FAGR Fraxinus americana white ash FRAM2 Ilex montana mountain holly ILMO Ilex opaca American holly ILOP Juglans cinerea butternut JUCI Sensitive

Scientific Name Common Name Code Status Juglans nigra black walnut JUNI Larix laricina tamarack, larch LALA Liriodendron tulipifera tuliptree, yellow-poplar LITU Magnolia acuminata cucumber-tree MAAC Malus spp. apple MALUS Nyssa sylvatica blackgum NYSY Ostrya virginiana ironwood, hophornbeam OSVI Picea abies Norway spruce PIAB Picea glauca white spruce PIGL Picea rubens red spruce PIRU Pinus resinosa red pine PIRE Pinus rigida pitch pine PIRI Pinus strobus Eastern white pine PIST Pinus sylvestris Scots pine PISY Platanus occidentalis American sycamore PLOC Populus grandidentata bigtooth aspen POGR4 Populus tremuloides quaking aspen POTR5 Prunus pensylvanica pin cherry PRPE2 Prunus serotina black cherry PRSE2 Prunus virginiana choke cherry PRVI Quercus alba white oak QUAL Quercus coccinea scarlet oak QUCO2 Quercus palustris pin oak QUPA2 Quercus montana chestnut oak QUPR2 Quercus rubra Northern red oak QURU Quercus velutina black oak QUVE Robinia pseudoacacia black locust ROPS Salix spp. willow SALIX Sassafras albidum sassafras SAAL5 Tilia americana American basswood TIAM Tsuga canadensis Eastern hemlock TSCA Ulmus americana American elm ULAM Ulmus rubra slippery elm ULRU

Shrub Species Scientific Name Common Name Code Status

Berberis thunbergii Japanese barberry BETH NOX Elaeagnus umbellata autumn olive ELUM NOX Frangula alnus glossy buckthorn FRAL4 NOX Ligustrum sp. privet LIGUS2 NOX Lonicera morrowii Morrow's honeysuckle LOMO2 NOX

Scientific Name Common Name Code Status Lythrum salicaria purple loosestrife LYSA2 NOX Rhamnus cathartica common buckthorn RHCA3 NOX Rosa multiflora multiflora rose ROMU NOX Taxus canadensis Canada yew TACA7 Sensitive

Vine Species Scientific Name Common Name Code Status Akebia quinata chocolate vine (5-leaf Akebia) AKQU NOX Celastrus orbiculatus Oriental bittersweet CEOR7 NOX Cynanchum louiseae Louis' swallowwort CYLO11 NOX Hedra helix English Ivy HEHE NOX Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle LOJA NOX Polygonum perfoliatum Asiatic tearthumb, mile-a-minute POPE10 NOX Pueraria montana kudzu PUMO NOX

Forb Species Scientific Name Common Name Code Status

Alliaria petiolata garlic mustard ALPE4 NOX Botrychium lanceolatum lanceleaf grapefern BOLAA2 Sensitive Botrychium simplex little grapefern BOSI Sensitive Cirsium arvense Canada thistle CIAR4 NOX Heracleum mantegazzianum giant hogweed HEMA17 NOX Panax quinquefolius American ginseng PAQU Sensitive Polygonum cuspidatum Japanese knotweed POCU6 NOX

Graminoid Species Scientific Name Common Name Code Status

Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass MIVI NOX

Appendix C – Glossary of Terms Term Common Name

Definition

Aspect Aspect is the compass direction of the prevailing slope with respect to North.

Azimuth Horizontal angular measure from North to an object of interest.

Basal Area Cross-sectional area of the stem or stems of a plant (or of all plants in a stand), expressed in unis of square feet per acre.

Bole Length Straight-line distance measured parallel to the main bole of a tree, from its base to its tip.

Breast Height Point located on the uphill side of the main stem, by measuring 4.5 feet along the uphill side of the bole from ground level or the predominant root collar.

Canopy Cover Percentage of a fixed area plot covered by the crown of an individual plant species or delimited by the vertical projection of its outermost perimeter;

small openings in the crown are included.

Compartment

Land area (usually between 3,000 and 8,000 acres), comparable in size to a sub-watershed or landscape management unit; used as a convenient unit for maintaining stand records and planning vegetation management projects.

Diameter Length of a straight-line segment passing through the center of an item and terminating at its periphery.

Diameter at Breast Height

(DBH)

Measurement of tree diameter at breast height (4.5 feet), outside bark, of the tree bole, perpendicular to the tree bole.

Down Woody Material

Woody pieces of trees and shrubs that have been uprooted (no longer supporting growth) or severed from their root system, not self-supporting, and are lying on the ground.

Duff Layer

Duff is the fermentation and humus layer of the forest floor. It does not include the freshly cast material in the litter layer. The top of the duff is where needles, leaves, and other cast-off vegetative material have noticeably begun to decompose. Individual particles usually will be bound by fungi mycelium. When moss is present, the top of the duff is just below the green portion of the moss. The bottom of the duff is the start of the soil ("A" horizon).

Elevation Vertical distance from a datum, usually mean sea level, to a point or object on the earth’s surface. Not to be confused with altitude, which refers to points above the earth’s surface.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Computer system that analyzes and displays geographically referenced information.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Network of radio-emitting satellites deployed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Ground-based GPS receivers can automatically derive accurate surface coordinates for all kinds of GIS, mapping, and surveying data collection.

Ground Level

The forest floor, made up by soil and duff layer. Does not include unincorporated woody debris that may rise above the ground line. In reference to a point of measure, it is the highest point of the ground touching the base of the object being referenced.

Group Tally A count of one or more items of the same type or species and recorded as a single line entry.

Growth A measure of the increase in growth layers for a specified time.

Height Growth The increase in height over a set period.

Intersect Diameter

Measurement of diameter at a point where the sampling plane intersects the geometric center of the object being tallied. No adjustment is made for stem irregularities at the point of intersection.

Lean (Tree) The deflection from vertical, > 15 degrees of a straight line passing through the geometric center of the base and top of the main stem.

Length The measurement of the extent of something along its greatest dimension.

Life Form Species and individuals that are grouped into classes based on their similarities in structure and function. A growth form that displays an obvious relationship to important environmental factors.

Limiting Distance

A comparative measurement between the subplot radius and the distance from the subplot center to the center of the object. The comparison is used to determine whether the object is IN or OUT of the fixed area subplot. The object is "in" if the measured distance is equal to or less than the subplot radius. The object is "out" if the measured distance is greater than the subplot radius.

Ownership The identification of the legal owner/administrator on both the surface and subsurface estates.

Plant Species The major subdivision of a genus or subgenus of a plant being described or measured.

Plot Configuration The size and shape of the sampling unit (plot) and the spatial arrangement of subplots within that unit.

Plot A sub-sample of a plot or stand exam. This is the unit on which data are recorded to individual trees, snags, logs, understory vegetation, and fuels.

Data can be collected on either a fixed area or variable radius area.

Proclaimed Forest

Units of the National Forest System as originally proclaimed or designated by Congress.

Quadratic Mean Diameter The diameter of the tree of average basal area.

Radial Growth Increment

The increase in tree radius over a period at breast height, or occasionally at the base.

Slope A deviation from the horizontal.

Species A code that represents a fundamental category of taxonomic classification of an organism.

Stand A spatially continuous group of trees and associated vegetation having similar structures and growing under similar soil and climatic conditions.

Stump The woody base of a tree remaining in contact with the soil after the trunk or main stem has been severed at a point less than 4.5 feet above ground height (measured on the uphill side).

Tree A woody perennial plant, typically large, with a single well-defined stem carrying a definite crown.

Tree Age

Total age of the above ground stem of a tree (not age of the root stock or the total age from seed). Total age is usually the annual ring count to the pith of the tree at breast height plus an estimate of the number of years it took the tree to reach breast height.

Appendix D – Measuring DBH

Height Above Ground

• DBH is outside bark diameter as measured at 4.5 feet above the forest floor on the uphill side of the tree.

• To determine breast height, the forest floor includes the duff layer that may be present but does not include unincorporated woody debris that may rise above the ground line.

• If a dead tree (snag) is missing bark, measure the DBH without the bark and record that measurement.

Use of a Diameter Tape

Unique Scenarios Forked Trees

• To qualify as a fork, the stem in question must be at least one-third the diameter of the main stem and must branch out from the main stem at an angle of 45 degrees or less.

Note: Forks originate at the point on the bole where a visible seam can first be identified.

o Trees forked below 4.5-feet are treated as distinctly separate trees, with DBH measured at 4.5-feet above the ground for each of the stems.

o Trees forked at or above 4.5 feet count as one tree; if a fork occurs at or immediately above 4.5 ft, measure diameter below the fork just beneath any swelling that would inflate DBH.

Irregular Trees

• On trees with swellings, bumps, depressions, and branches at DBH, diameter must be measured immediately above the irregularity at the place it ceases to affect normal stem form.

• If this is not possible, because of the vertical extent of the irregularity, then adjust the DBH measurement to better reflect the diameter of a regular bole.

Leaning Trees

• Measure diameter at 4.5-feet from the ground along the bole.

Trees on Slope

• Measure diameter at 4.5-feet from the ground along the bole on the uphill side of the tree.

Ingrown Trees

• If two or more independent stems have grown together at or above the point of DBH, continue to treat them as separate trees.

Missing Bark or Wood

• If > 50 percent of the circumference of the bole is intact, reconstruct the diameter at DBH.

Visual Examples

Appendix E – Measuring Height

Total Tree Height Note: Precise tree heights are required for Site Trees.

• Record tree height, in feet, from ground line on the uphill side to the uppermost tip.

• Measure height from the same contour line as the tree. If this angle is not available, then measure height from the uphill side.

• Record total tree height to the nearest foot.

• For example:

Code Tree Height Class

1 0.1 - 1.4-feet tall 23 22.5 - 23.4-feet tall

151 150.5 - 151.4-feet tall

Appendix F – Measuring Age

• Age must be determined (using an increment borer to draw a tree core at DBH) as the count of annual growth rings.

• Age is counted from the most current summerwood annual growth ring to the pith of the tree.

Record the age counted, do not add an estimate of the number of years to grow to breast height.

• If age cannot be determined because extensive heart rot was encountered while coring the tree, a different tree must be used as the Site Tree.

• Record the total age of the tree in years.

Note: Precise age is a required field for all Site Trees.

• For example, the ring count is 64 years, therefore the total tree age would be recorded as 64.

Appendix G – Step-By-Step Guide Note: If stand has been marked for harvest, or has recently been harvested, data need not be taken.

Report this to the COR or GMT on the forest for further guidance.

Create a Setting Record

• Create a Setting Record for the stand and ensure that all fields from Section 2 – Setting Data have been properly entered.

Navigate to and Create the Plot

• Navigate to plot center.

• Populate the Latitude/Longitude fields for the plot under Setting Data Collection > Plot.

• Monument plot center.

o Monument plot center using a pin flag with plot number written on it.

• Flag a tree (or hang flagging from a branch at eye-level) near plot center so that the plot can be easily found at a distance.

Collect the Plot Data Variable Radius Plot (10 BAF)

• Stand at plot center and face magnetic north.

• Using a 10BAF wedge prism, rotate clockwise from North and record data for all “in” trees tallied on the variable radius plot.

o Standing at plot center, hold the prism directly over plot center, level, and perpendicular to the tree being measured.

o See the image below for a comparison of how “in” and “out trees appear when looking thru the prism.

Note: Hold the prism at eye-height, directly over plot center and rotate yourself around it when measuring/tallying trees, ensuring that the prism always remains directly over plot center. Do not stand on plot center and rotate the prism around yourself when measuring/tallying trees.

• Flag the first “in” tree tallied from North. On the flag, write the comp-stand number, plot number, cruiser initials, and date.

• For each tree tallied:

o Record species.

o Record DBH by two-inch diameter class – i.e., odds up, evens down.

o DBH will be marked with a horizontal line at DBH with a paint stick for all “in” trees.

Note: For multi-stem trees If a visible seam starts at or below DBH, measure as two separate trees. If a visible seam starts above DBH, measure as one tree o Determine if tree should be labeled as Acceptable (AC), Unacceptable (UA), or Growing Stock (GS).

▪ If the tree does not currently have (and will never have) a Grade 3 sawlog, then label the tree as Unacceptable (UA). Also, if it can be assumed the tree will not survive for a decade label the tree as Unacceptable (UA).

▪ If a tree has at least one Grade 3 sawlog and can be expected to survive for another decade label the tree as Acceptable (AC).

▪ If a tree will or could have a grade 3 sawlog in the future, then label the tree as Growing Stock (GS).

Limiting Distance

• Limiting distance must be measured for all borderline trees.

o All borderline trees “in” trees tallied must have a vertical line through the dbh mark.

“OUT” trees will have an X at DBH.

o Limiting distance is measured from the face of the tree at DBH to where the pin flag enters the ground at plot center. These two points are also where the slope % should be measured.

• To measure Limiting Distance, select Options > In/Out Tree Form o Populate the four fields on the left side of the popup for tree in question and hit

Compute.

o The left side of the pop up will generate your limiting distances and dictate if the tree is in or out as shown in the image below.

Canopy Cover (Total Veg) (Fixed Plot)

• % of light blocked by ALL leaf cover (if vegetation doesn’t have leaves, picture everything with leaves and estimate total % of light blocked) on a 26.3’ radius around plot center o Estimate % of light blocked to the nearest 5%.

Ground Surface Cover (Fixed Plot)

• Record a value of LITT for the SurC field.

• Record a value of 100 for the Cvr% field.

Site Trees

Note: Best practice is to wait until at least half of the plots within a stand have been visited before selecting and recording data for the Site Tree.

• At least one site tree shall be selected from the sample trees tallied for each stand – i.e., every stand shall have at least one Site Tree recorded.

• Site trees may be located anywhere within the stand being sampled – i.e., on or off plot. For off-plot site trees, give bearing and distance to the site tree from the nearest plot, and record the tree in the tree data of that plot.

• Mark a site tree with an “ST” above the horizontal line facing plot center.

• Site trees shall be selected from the most common or most representative overstory species for the stand being sampled.

• Site trees shall be of a similar age class,…