Attachment 8- EXHIBIT G Tree Core Collection Procedures Idaho.docx

EXHIBIT G - 2025 RMRS Tree Core Collection Procedures

The information below is a guidance on the collection of tree cores that are sometimes in addition to the Radial and Age measurements required in the RMRS FIA Field Procedures Manual. The list of plots for needle collection is within the text of this document.

Which tree cores do we collect?

Two types of tree cores are collected:

1. Production cores - are those where the PDR prompts in the “Radial Growth and Age Display” for tree age based on several criteria (e.g. new SPECIES/SIZE CLASS/TREE CLASS).

Radial Growth and Age Display:

2. Research cores - which are collected for other purposes (growth modeling, climatic analysis, etc.).

PDR will prompt/remind you when you open a plot when there are potential research cores to be collected:

This information can also be accessed by pressing “F5” from the tree menu and select “RMRS Plot Tree Core List”:

When to collect cores:

For Populus, Betula, and Prosopis (mesquite) spp., collect a core anytime a new age is required – you will not receive a warning from the PDR for these trees unless the tree is a site tree.

For species on the Research Species List (2025 species include: 19, 73, 93, 101, 108, 113, 114) use the spreadsheet linked below to determine which plots had target species recorded last visit along with their last known largest diameter. If the plot is not listed on the spreadsheet and there are target species present, you do not need to collect research cores. If a plot is listed on the spreadsheet but the previous live target species is no longer suitable for core collection (damaged, dead, etc.) find a suitable large diameter substitute on the plot. “Suitable” for the purposes of core collection means it has good form, free of decay, and its diameter is close to the target diameter listed on the research core list or is at least 8.0 inches in diameter. Remember that this list is just a guide; follow the steps below for actual collections.

Production and Research Tree Core Collection and PDR Prompts:

1. If the PDR “Radial Growth and Age Display” prompts for an age to be obtained for one of the listed species for production reasons, a core from the PDR-identified tree(s) should be returned to the lab if it is in suitable condition (solid, and preferably to pith) and is at least 5.0 inches in DBH. This core will be used for both production and research purposes—you do not need to collect a separate tree core from the research core list.

2. If the PDR “Radial Growth and Age Display” prompts for age for a species that is NOT on the research list, then the age of that tree should be determined in the field and the age should be entered in the PDR. Do not send these to the lab, except for Populus, Betula, and Prosopis as noted above.

3. If the PDR "Radial Growth and Age Display" does not prompt for any of the same species as requested on the research core target species list, and one or more of the research target species is present, attempt to obtain a core from a large diameter tree of the species based on the guide diameter in the tree core species list. If the target tree is damaged or dead, then look for a suitable substitute. The tree should have good form, be free of decay, and have DBH of at least 8.0 inches. For example, if a lodgepole pine stand has been disturbed by mountain pine beetles and only small live trees remain, there is no need to return a core, even though lodgepole is on the list. It is also unnecessary to go off-plot in search of a suitable tree. In other words, no heroic measures are necessary. If there’s a suitable tally tree with a sound core, return that, otherwise the plot is a pass for the purpose of core collection.

2025 Research Core list:

2025 Tree Core Plot list for this contract:

The table above lists all the plots where a target species was recorded and the last known largest diameter for each. Note that some plots have more than one target species to be collected.

· Crews should identify which plots had target species recorded last visit ahead of time by accessing the list linked above and writing on the front of the plot packet the specific target species and their last known largest diameter as a reminder of what cores to collect. Follow the guidance below for PDR prompted ages and Research Cores.

How do we collect cores?

1. Core the tree – if the core is crumbly and in many tiny pieces, or has rot, do not collect. Either core the tree again or pick another tree of the same species in the same diameter class (if available). If a suitable core can’t be collected, count the rings in the field or estimate tree age (if possible) and enter this data into the PDR.

2. Count the rings (if necessary, see below):

Plot trees: (that do not also serve as site trees including off-plot Betula and Populus spp.)

· You do not need to count these rings in the field if the tree has been identified for core collection. The lab will count them and the age will be filled in at a later date.

· Do collect radial growth measurement if the PDR indicates it is needed for that tree.

· Enter in the PDR:

· RADIAL GROWTH/AGE CODE = 3 (Yes. Collect Radial Growth, age will be determined from the core).

· RADIAL GROWTH AGE CHECK = 3 (Age measured from a collected core – for cores collected and sent into the office for aging). If an off-plot Betula or Populus spp. also serves as a site tree, see the site tree section below.

If the core was taken from a tree that was cored on the subplot make sure the proper tree number is written on the core label. If the core was taken from a tree that was cored off the subplot (required for Populus and Betula) make a note in the PDR that the core was collected off plot and be sure to label the core with ‘OFF’ in the space normally used for the tree number and include the diameter of both the tree on the subplot it represents and the one that was actually cored off the subplot.

Site Trees:

· You will need to count the age of all site trees before packaging the core to send in.

· Enter in the PDR:

If the core was taken from a tree that was actually cored on the subplot enter the field counted radial growth and tree age in the tree menu and use the following codes:

· RADIAL GROWTH/AGE CODE = 2 (Yes. Collect both Radial Growth and age information), or 5 (Yes. Collect age information. Use past/current diameters for growth (place radial) (do not use code 3).

· RADIAL GROWTH AGE CHECK = 3 (Age measured from a collected core – for cores collected and sent into the office for aging).

If the core is from a site tree that was cored off the subplot enter the relevant information for the off-plot site tree (azimuth, distance, diameter, and length) including the field counted tree age in the site tree menu and code RADIAL GROWTH AGE CHECK = 3 (Age measured from a collected core – for cores collected and sent into the office for aging). Be sure to label the core with ‘SITE’ in the space normally used for the tree number.

If this off-plot site tree also serves as an ‘age tree’ (i.e. as a stand-in for a tree that was tallied on the subplot) you will also need to enter the field counted radial growth and tree age in the tree menu under the appropriate tree number as well as the following codes:

· RADIAL GROWTH/AGE CODE = 2 (Yes. Collect both Radial Growth and age information) (do not use code 3).

· RADIAL GROWTH AGE CHECK = 2 (Age/radial growth was based on a similar tree off the subplot).

Thus, data for off-plot trees that serve as both site trees and as stand-in ‘age’ trees for a tree that was tallied on the subplot will be entered in both the site tree menu and the tree menu if a core is collected, with different radial growth age check codes used depending on the menu.

3. Place the core in a paper straw. Trim the paper down, leaving about an inch of empty space on both ends of the core. Fold the ends of the paper over a couple times. Do not collect marginal crumbly cores. Try for another suitable core of a similar age from a tree. Label the straw. It is important to accurately and legibly label each straw in pencil with ALL the information below:

4. Label the straw. It is important to accurately and legibly label each straw in pencil with ALL the information below:

Production Cores, Site trees and Aspen/Birch:

State code – County code – Location Code – Label Number Example: 08-51-3002-85930AA

Research Tree cores:

State code - County code – Location code – Subplot # – OFF – Species code – Diameter

Example: 08 – 51 – 3002 – 3 – OFF – 202 – 18.6 (18.9)

5. Store straws in a map tube or some other protective container.

6. Send cores in approximately once a month to the Riverdale Office:

RIVERDALE FORESTRY SCIENCES LABORATORY

USDA Forest Service 4919 S 1500 W, Ste. 200 Riverdale, UT 84405 image3.png image4.png image5.emf image6.png image1.png image2.png