EXHIBIT G 2023 TREE CORE COLLECTION PROCEDURES WITH LIST_NIdaho.pdf

EXHIBIT G: TREE CORE COLLECTION PROCEDURES 2023 AND LIST OF PLOTS AND

TREE SPECIES TO COLLECT

Which tree cores do we collect?

Wyoming: collect a tree core for all trees where a new tree age is required on a plot located in Wyoming.

Populus, Betula, and Prosopis (mesquite) spp. 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.

INVYR 2020 plots and 2023 Climate Study cores: Plots carried over since 2020 have three lists of plots/trees where we want specific trees cored on specific plots. The 2023 plots have two list of plots/trees where we want cores: one for contractors and one for federal/Colorado State crews (standby for the federal crew list).

The three list of plots/trees to core for 2020 are kept here: External RMRS FIA Field Reference Library\Data Collection Resources\Protocols\Additional Procedures\Tree cores\ 2020_Site_Larch_Fill_ActualPlot_editsRS

The two lists of plots/trees to core for 2023 are kept here:

• The list of “climate study” plots/trees to core for 2023 is kept here for 2023 contract plots: External RMRS FIA Field Reference Library\Data Collection Resources\Protocols\Additional Procedures\Tree cores\ 2023TreeRing_Contract_TargetSppByPlot

• And here for 2023 Government/Colorado State crew plots: (not yet made…standby)XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It’s a good idea for crews to identify these plots/trees ahead of time by accessing the abovementioned lists and writing on the front of the plot packet each subplot and tree number for the cores that are slated for collection in their area from each of these lists. Refer to the red tabs associated with each state in the spreadsheet to see what is designated for collection in your area. Then, do the following for tree cores from each of the following tree core study types:

(2020 and 2023) Climate Study plot/trees If a tree/plot is indicated that a core is to be collected for climate and/or fill, do the following:

1. Collect a core from the largest diameter tree for any of the target species (ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, or Douglas-fir) found on plot. The spreadsheet linked above will tell you which of these target species had the largest diameter on that plot. If the tree with the largest diameter is no longer alive, find a comparable ponderosa, pinyon, or Douglas-fir 8”dbh or greater elsewhere on the plot and collect that core. If no 8” dbh or larger tree of these three species is available on plot, do not collect a core.

From J. Shaw: “The general idea is to get a dominant tree with relatively good form. For any plot where we have only records of smaller trees from past visits (or no diameters available), collections can be made off-plot. If it’s just a big burn-over with only seeds and saps (or nothing) and no off-plot trees are available, the plot can be a pass.”

2. Do not collect marginal crumbly cores. Try for another suitable core of a similar age from a tree that has been bored in the past on the plot.

3. If the condition has been subjected to a stand-replacing event (i.e., no mature trees remaining), it is not necessary to obtain a core.

(2020 only) Western larch trees from subplots included in the root disease study (2020 plots)– collect a core from a single western larch tree (no saplings) on the subplot when prompted by the PDR. Try to obtain a core from the largest western larch on the subplot but it’s more important to get a larch from the subplot than that specific larch. A list of subplots requiring collection of western larch cores can be found by pressing F5 and https://usfs.box.com/s/ntgr82fug5dt0e42ao4ip62fohed0e8n https://usfs.box.com/s/yy1khc589iy8xjn9i4wk5bybzjkz0ktr choosing ‘RMRS Plot Tree Core List’ from any menu on the PDR. Do not collect a core if there is no live western larch on the subplot.

(2020 only) Site trees on conditions/plots where site tree issues have been identified (2020 plots) – you will receive a warning from the PDR on these plots. You can determine if collection of site trees cores is required by pressing F5 and choosing ‘RMRS Plot Tree Core List’ from any menu on the PDR. These plots contain conditions where only a single site tree was collected during the previous visit or where site indexes calculated from the previous visit differed by more than 25%.

Carefully evaluate existing and any potential new site trees with the goal of selecting two appropriate trees for each condition (if available). Do not select marginal trees just to fulfill the 2-tree goal. Collect cores from each site tree that is selected for all conditions on the plot. You will need to collect a core even if the tree has been aged by the previous crew.

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:

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

o RADIAL GROWTH AGE CHECK = 3 (Age measured from a collected core – for cores collected and sent into the office for aging). Note: use of this code is valid in 2020 for Betula and Populus spp.

that are cored off plot and do not also serve as site trees. 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 actually cored on the subplot make sure the proper tree number is recorded on the core label. If the core was taken from a tree that was actually 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 and the one that was actually cored off the subplot.

Site Trees:

• You will need to count the age of all site trees and mesquite 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:

o 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).

o 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 actually 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:

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

o 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.

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

Plot trees:

State code – County code – Location code – Subplot # – Tree # – Species code – Diameter

Example: 08 – 51 – 3002 – 3 – 18 – 202 – 18.6 Off plot site trees:

State code – County code – Location code – Subplot # – SITE – Species code – Diameter

Example: 08 – 51 – 3002 – 3 – SITE – 202 - 18.6 Off plot “other” trees (e.g., aspens, birch):

State code - County code – Location code – Subplot # – OFF – Species code – Diameter of tree on the plot—(Diameter of tree cored off plot)

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 Ogden Office:

OGDEN FORESTRY SCIENCES LABORATORY

USDA Forest Service 4919 S 1500 W, Ste. 200 Riverdale, UT 84405

List of Tree Cores to Collect by Plot and Tree Species (North Idaho)

County Code

County Name

Plot Species Code

Common Name Genus species PLANTS code

Number of SPP on

Plot

Max DIA of SPP on plot

35 Clearwater 59 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 1

35 Clearwater 108 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 5 16 35 Clearwater 136 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 76 14.6 49 Idaho 26 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 8 19.4 49 Idaho 33 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 25 20.3 49 Idaho 38 73 western larch Larix occidentalis LAOC 2 29.4 49 Idaho 98 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 1 12.2 49 Idaho 98 101 whitebark pine Pinus albicaulis PIAL 3 11.9 49 Idaho 115 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 22 13.9 49 Idaho 199 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 3 7.6 49 Idaho 290 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 4 10.5 49 Idaho 356 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 3 13.7 49 Idaho 537 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 5 12.7 49 Idaho 537 101 whitebark pine Pinus albicaulis PIAL 2 9.8 49 Idaho 565 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 10 10.8 49 Idaho 3007 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 2 6.7 49 Idaho 3007 73 western larch Larix occidentalis LAOC 3 7.6 49 Idaho 3051 101 whitebark pine Pinus albicaulis PIAL 3 13.6 79 Shoshone 247 73 western larch Larix occidentalis LAOC 11 15.6 79 Shoshone 3023 108 lodgepole pine Pinus contorta PICO 9 16.5