182 FARM FORESTRY 



enable him to figure the amount that he can cut safely each 

 year from the woodlot. 



ESTIMATING A SMALL WOODLOT FOR LUMBER IN BOARD FEET 



In estimating a woodlot for board feet only that portion 

 of each tree is considered that will make saw logs. The tops 

 and limbs can, of course, be used for cordwood or other pur- 

 poses. What is desired is a knowledge of how many board 

 feet of boards can be sawed from the sawlogs contained in 

 the trees. The number of ties, posts and other products, in 

 addition to the sawlogs, can of course be determined at the 

 same time the estimate is made for board feet if desired. 



In estimating a small woodlot for board feet each tree is 

 considered by itself, and when it has been estimated it should 

 be marked or chalked in some way, so that it will not be 

 measured again. The standing tree to be estimated is divided 

 into logs by the eye into even foot lengths, and into i6-foot 

 lengths as far as possible. The top of the first i6-foot log, 

 or butt log, can easily be found by using a lO-foot pole. When 

 held by an assistant 6 feet above the ground, or the top of 

 the stump, the top of the pole will indicate where the first 

 i6-foot log will end. The lengths of the logs above can be 

 estimated by the eye with considerable accuracy when stand- 

 ing about 50 to 75 feet from the tree. In this way the number 

 of logs that can be cut from each tree and their lengths can 

 be found. The diameter of the small end of each log inside 

 the bark must be known as well as the length. The diameter 

 of the butt lot can be measured accurately by nailing a cross- 

 piece marked plainly in inches on the upper end of the lo-foot 

 pole. When held by the assistam so that the cross-piece is 

 1 6 feet above the stump, the observer can readily count the 

 number of inches in diameter of the top of the log. The 

 measurement must be inside the bark. Very few trees except 

 old trees have a bark 16 feet above the stump that is more 



