Establish a Management Plan

SAE:

Measure Timber on School Forest Plot, Determine Volume, and Establish a Management Plan

Description:

Students may use this SAE program as a method of gaining additional experience in forest management. This program can begin small and increase in size as the student's proficiency advances. This program can be conducted on family land, private land, or on the school forest demonstration area. While this program can be time intensive, the potential to learn advanced employment skills are abundant.The student will need to secure permission from landowners to begin this program. Afterwards, an aerial map or land plat is needed. These are obtainable from the tax commissioner's office or from the landowner. From this information, a hand map can be made of the area and acreage determined. A compass, chain, wire flags, and graph paper are needed. A computer and mapping program (ITMAP) or GPS unit may be used to determine acreage. If these items are not available, simple geometric equations can be used to hand calculate acreage.

Determining the volume and stand type is the next phase of this program. Using your map, determine your grid (if not using a 100% cruise). The grid could be 2X2, 3X3, 4X4, 5X5, or any combination desired. With the help of a compass, begin the process by chaining your grid. At the coordinated points, use your prism to determine the "tally trees" and measure the height (clinometer) and diameter (D-Tape) of the trees. This process will help to determine the stands Basal Area and give the information to calculate cords-per-acre and/or tons-per-acre. Students can use industry standard volume tables or the formula on the Forestry CDE Forest Management score sheet to determine volumes. This process can be further expanded to include stand type. Different stand types can be noted on the hand-drawn maps.

The collection of this information will lead to the development of a management plan for the forested area. As a plan is developed, consider multiple-use objectives. How can the area be used to grow timber, preserve soil and water, and sustain wildlife. A consulting forester, industry forester, or Georgia Forestry Commission forester would be useful during this stage of development.

Written by Billy Hughes, 2002

Factors To Consider	Ranking: 1 = lowest 10 = highest
Time required	9
Investment	6
Equipment needed	8
Skills required	8
Facilities required	3
Land required	10 (other people's)
Labor Intensity	6
Potential for income	6
Transportation required	9
Expansion possibilities	7
Expertise needed	6
Advertising needed	7
Susceptible to disease	0
Susceptible to insects	9
Suitable for residential areas	4
	Other (specify)
Length of production cycle	Flexible
Regional	No
When to start project	Anytime

Notes:

Equipment needed: Clinometer, Loggers Tape, Prism, Orange Cruising Vest, Hard Hat, Flagging, Center Staff, Aerial Map or Land Plat, Compass, Graph Paper, Wire Stake Flags, Chain, Clipboard, Tree Marking Paint, Snake protection, insect repellant, and volume references. Optional Equipment: Computer, Mapping Program, GPS Unit. This equipment may be purchased, or checked-out from the school Agriculture Department.

This is a very time-intensive program. Students should understand that this program requires attention to details, with no substitution for accuracy. This would be a good project for several students to undertake as a team. A reliable means of transportation is desirable.

Personal relation's and communication skills are needed for this program. Students should solicit help from forestry consultants, industry representatives, and government officials. Their expertise could prove to be valuable.