Attachment 8 - Sample Recon Cruise Instructions - Copy.pdf

Robie Creek G-Z

Attachment 8

SAMPLE RECON CRUISE INSTRUCTIONS

Unit Acres Plots Unit Acres Plots 55 2.57 n/a 68 3.29 21 56 4.87 1 69 27.55 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 57 4.32 2 70 8.74 27, 28, 29 58 2.93 3 71 38.08 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 59 14.83 4, 5, 6, 7 72 4.82 40, 41 60 3.69 8 73 2.76 42 61 1.19 n/a 74 5.33 43, 44, 45 62 1.44 9 75 4.97 46, 47 63 4.90 10, 11 76 5.99 48 64 3.14 12 77 27.33 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 65 1.73 13 78 4.55 57, 58 66 18.30 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 79 23.48 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 66B 9.41 14, 15 80 40.42 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 Trees to Measure Minimum log length for all species is 8 feet measured at 6 inches inside diameter at the small end and a merchantability factor of 10.67 (roughly 1/3 sound) FSH 2409.12 Chapter 40. Only trees within the unit boundaries designated for harvest shall be measured. Boundaries have been marked with orange tracer paint and are in accordance with the 2010 Boise National Forest Timber Theft Prevention Plan.

Measurement Techniques All measurement techniques are described in FSH 2409.12 Chapter 10, Forest Service Cruising Handbook.

Also see the Region 4 Supplement.

a) DBH: DBH will be measured using methods found in FSH 2409.12 Chapter 10.

b) Height: Height will be measured using methods found in FSH 2409.12 Chapter 10.

c) Defect: All cruise trees will be examined for seen defect using R4 defecting methods. When recording defect for cruise trees, it is important to list the type of defect, the height on the tree it is found, as well as any calculations needed to determine the percentage.

d) Limiting Distance: If any trees are borderline in/out of the plot, limiting distance will be used to determine the exact count. All calculations must be shown on cruise cards and submitted in the official cruise record.

When using a 20 BAF the plot radius factor (PRF) used will be 1.902 for measuring from the face of the tree, not the center. The equation that should be used to determine limiting distance is as follows:

Slope Limiting Distance = Slope Correction Factor X Horizontal Limiting Distance

HLD = DBH X PRF

73 plots were placed on a systematic grid.

Only 20 plots are being sampled for recon. Plots were randomly selected using the Plot Selection Program.

Only measure plots that are BOLD.

Cruise Instructions The cruiser is responsible for accurately ensuring proper tree species are correctly identified, merchantability specifications are correctly applied, and diameters are being measured at correct heights. In total, there are 73 variable plots mapped but only 20 will be measured during reconnaissance. Plots were selected using the random plot selector tool and that will be measured using 20 BAF plot size.

When navigating to the plot center, coordinates will be found using a GPS unit that can get you within 40 feet of plot center. If a GPS unit is not available for use, know that plots are equally spaced. All cruise plots are 410 feet (6.2 chains) apart in each cardinal direction. If a plot falls outside a unit boundary it shall be marked “No Plot”. If there are no merchantable trees located on a plot, it shall be marked as “Null”. If a plot falls where the plot radius overlaps the unit boundary a mirage plot will be used per Region 4 supplement to the FSH 2409.12 Chapter 34.21.

Mirage plots are set up by establishing plot center, measuring all the “in” trees within the plot. Then measuring the exact distance from plot center to the boundary and imagine the stand edge as a mirror.

Establish a second plot, equal distance from the boundary, perpendicular to the boundary line and at the exact angle as the original plot. Outside of the stand, measure all the “in” trees, only counting the duplicate trees that were “in” on the first plot.

Species, sample group, DBH, total height, total defect measurements, and cruiser initials for each cruise tree will be recorded by a certified cruiser. Keeping accurate records is critical. Either an entire plot should be measured by one cruiser completely or if splitting a plot, each cruiser must complete all measurements per tree. You cannot measure DBH by one cruiser and height/defect by someone else.

To begin, find North on each plot with a compass and then rotate in a clockwise manner counting each tree as you go. The first tree in each plot should be painted with the Unit number, Plot number, tree number, and cruiser’s initials. Each subsequent tree only needs its tree number, unless a different cruiser is used. Each cruise plot will be monumented with blue and pink flagging in 3 locations, and a wooden stake at each plot center that also has a piece of flagging tied to it. Each wooden stake needs the plot information (Unit #, Plot #, date, cruiser’s initials) and must show the exact center on the top by drawing an ‘X’ to depict where limiting distance measurements will be calculated to (at the center of the ‘X’). Refer to measurement techniques for further information.

Be sure to record all data on a data recorder and/or paper, and label all data sheets completely with sale name, date, cruiser’s name, and unit. Cruise data from the recorder should be downloaded daily, if possible.

Also remember to record tracer samples of all paint used for each unit in the cruise folder.

Special Instructions If new or unknown special features such as raptor nests, elk wallows, springs, seeps, mineral licks, or archeological sites are discovered during marking or cruising, these features should be avoided or protected.

Mirage Plot