Angle Gauge
Photo courtesy of Forestry Suppliers, Inc. (550008) |
The gauge is used to tally trees in variable area plot sampling. The variable plot method is generally faster than fixed area plot sampling. The gauge usually has basal area per acre factors (BAF) of 5 to 40. The average diameter of the trees to be sampled is what determines which BAF to use. The angle gauge comes in several shapes and serves the same purpose as a cruising prism (see cruising prism below). 2004 price range: $10-$33. |
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Calipers
Photo courtesy of Construction Safety Products |
For measuring tree and log diameters. Serves the same purpose as a diameter tape. With calipers, you read the diameter at DBH (diameter breast high, 4.5 feet), then take a second reading at right angles to the first reading, and average the two readings. 2004 price range: A plastic caliper that reads to 6.5 inches costs about $7.00; an aluminum caliper to 8 inches costs $27; up to one that measures to 36 inches for $160. |
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Clinometer
Photo courtesy of Bailey's |
This is a basic forest inventory tool. The clinometer is used to measure slope, to lay out road grades, and to determine tree heights. A clinometer has two of three possible ways to measure angles: degree, percent, and topographic. The trick to using a clinometer is that you look into the clinometer with one eye while lining up the reference line with an outside object with the other eye. An object's height is measured from a set distance. Usually, the percent scale is used because the distance to measure from is in multiples or fractions of 100. Some clinometers have a built in range finder and a target which is placed at the object to be measured. 2004 price range: $105 for the basic model to $294 for the rangefinder models. |
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Compass
Photo courtesy of Bailey's
Photo courtesy of Forestry Suppliers, Inc. (550008)
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A compass is used to run property lines and to define management units. 2004 prices range: from hand held models at $40 to staff compasses up to $700. A hand held compass is adequate for most compass work, but a staff compass is more accurate. The up-to-date magnetic declination for your area can be found by typing "magnetic declination" into a search engine and selecting the geomagnetic data site. |
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Cruiser Vest
Photo courtesy of Construction Safety Products |
Like a fisherman's vest, this vest has many pockets to hold the many items you will want to take along in your woods. It usually has a large pocket in the back to hold aerial photos, writing tablets, and other large flat objects. Mesh vests are available for hot weather work. An orange vest makes you more visible in the woods. 2004 prices range from $32 to $77. |
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Cruising Prism
Photo courtesy of Construction Safety Products |
Like an angle gauge (see description above), this optical device is used to tally trees in variable area plot sampling. These prisms are also available in a range of basal area factors (BAF) to best fit the size of the trees you are sampling. You select a BAF to give you 4 to 10 trees per sample plot. The smaller the trees, the smaller the BAF to use. Prisms are not used to tally dense sapling size regeneration. 2004 price range: $20 to $70.
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Densiometer
Photo courtesy of Construction Safety Products
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This instrument is used to estimate overhead forest canopy. This information is especially useful in western forests where canopy density is an important factor crown fire spread. Canopy cover information may also be used to space trees to provide sufficient light on the ground for light sensitive forest floor species. 2004 price range: approximately $100.
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Increment Borer
Photo courtesy of Bailey's |
Use these borers to extract core samples from trees or poles to determine age, growth rate, tree soundness and/or chemical penetration. Borer bit length normally ranges from 4 to 28 inches and diameter normally ranges from 4.3 mm to 12 mm. 2004 price range: $115-$830. |
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Jacob (Jake) Staff
Photo courtesy of Virtual Museum of Surveying |
A staff, typically 50-55 inches tall, used to support a compass or other forest measuring equipment such as a Spiegle Relaskop®. 2004 price range: approximately $45-$50. |
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Hand Level
Photo courtesy of Construction Safety Products |
These levels normally have cross hairs, magnification and an extending tube. Used to determine the angle from the surveyor to the targeted object (e.g. a tree or hillside). 2004 price range: $15 for simple levels without magnification to $220 for high quality levels with 5x magnification and other accessories. |
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| Measuring Tapes |
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D-Tape
Photo courtesy of Bailey's
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These tape measures have a variety of primary uses. The D-tape is used primarily to measure tree diameter and has regular length measurements on one side and diameter conversions on the other; a hook is on the end of the tape for easy attachment to a tree. Logger's tape has the same uses and is generally built to withstand tougher treatment. Reel tape is often used to measure distances between trees. Logger's and D-Tapes are usually made of coated steel; reel tapes are often made of fiberglass or coated steel. Tapes can have automatic or hand-crank rewind. 2004 price ranges: D-tape: $25-$70; Logger's tape: $35-$70 ; Reel tape: $35-$140. |
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Logger's Tape
Photo courtesy of Bailey's
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Reel Tape (100' - 300')
Photo courtesy of Construction Safety Products
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Woodland Stick
Photo courtesy of Forestry Suppliers, Inc. |
Woodland sticks can come in a variety of designs and are made of fiberglass or wood. They can be used to determine tree diameters, board foot volume, and for log scaling. Some are designed to serve as a walking stick as well. 2004 price range: $10-$90. |
