centage of softwoods than hardwoods had nor- 

 mal transparency ratings; this trend was re- 

 versed for moderate (31-50%) and severe 

 (>50%) transparency classes. By state, about 

 98% of all trees had normal transparency rat- 

 ings. Trees in both Pilot Study and the 1992- 

 95 California plots had almost identical high 

 percentages (>95%) of trees with good and 

 moderate transparency ratings. 



DAMAGE 



Pathogens, insects, air pollution, and other 

 natural or human disturbances can affect tree 

 growth and development. Damage caused by 

 any agent, alone or in combination, can influ- 

 ence forest condition. Recording observable 

 damage signs and symptoms provides valuable 

 information to assess forest condition and to 



interpret any deviations from baseline condi- 

 tions. Field crews recorded damage symptoms 

 seen in field plots when the observed damage 

 could kill the tree or affect its long-term sur- 

 vival. 



Damage codes have two parts: the general 

 location of injury and the damage type (table 

 5-5). Data are recorded for all live microplot 

 saplings and all subplot live trees. Trees are 

 observed from all sides, starting at the roots. 

 Priorities are set for damage signs and symp- 

 toms and recorded by general location in the 

 following order: roots, roots and lower bole, 

 lower bole, lower and upper bole, upper bole, 

 crown stem, branches, buds and shoots, and 

 foliage. The numeric order (table 5-5) denotes 

 decreasing significance as the code number 

 goes up — for example, damage code 02 



Upper bole 

 (05) 



Midpoint of bole 



(Midpoint between crown 



base and "stump") 



Lower bole Roots/"stump"/ 



(03) lower bole (02) 



Foliage > 



(09) 



Buds/shoots 

 (08) 



Branches 

 (07) 



Crownstem 

 (06) 



Base of 

 live crown 



Lower and 



upper bole 



(04) 



(01) 



Damage locations and codes. 



Monitoring — 72 



