ESTIMATING THE TREES IN THE WOODLOT 185 



Smaller plots can be used where the timber is very uniform. 

 A square half -acre plot measures 147 feet on a side and a 

 quarter-acre plot 104 feet on a side. 



Circular plots can also be used. They are laid out more 

 quickly than square plots. A circular plot covering a quarter- 

 acre in extent will have a radius of 59 feet. This will be 

 the most practical size of plot to use. Choosing a certain tree 

 for the center of the circular plot or setting a stake, the radius 

 distance is measured from the center out in several directions. 

 Small pieces of paper fastened in the bark of trees will help 

 to indicate the boundary line. Eight or ten such measurements 

 made from the center and well distributed about the circle will 

 mark the line sufficiently for the estimate. Sometimes but a 

 single sample plot is used for estimating an ordinary wood- 

 lot, but usually the estimates on several such sample plots 

 are averaged together. These plots can be laid off here and 

 there in timber that appears to represent the average of the 

 stand, or they can be laid out at regular intervals throughout 

 the woodlot, so that when averaged together they will give 

 an average of the entire woodlot. 



The process of estimating the trees on these sample acres 

 can be the same as for the method described for the small 

 woodlot. Each tree on a sample acre is estimated by itself, 

 divided into logs, and the number of board feet in each log 

 found from a log .table or by the rule of thumb. Care must 

 be taken as before in making allowance for defects in the logs 

 or the estimate will be too high. 



Where a quick estimate is wanted the estimator can, after 

 sizing up the trees on the plot, pick out a tree by eye that he 

 believes to be the average sized tree of all the merchant- 

 able trees on the plot. The contents of this tree can easily 

 be figured, and when multiplied by the number of trees on 

 the plot the product will be the estimate for the plot. The 

 result will be more accurate if instead of one average tree 

 several are selected, and the contents of the average tree found 



