TIMBER VALUATION 5 



lo per cent estimate necessary. Ordinarily 5 to 10 per cent is 

 sufficient because the tracts are large — over 500 acres — and 

 the subtypes uniform in composition and density. 



On account of the lack of roads and trails it is frequently diffi- 

 cult to find a suitable place for a base line from which to run the 

 estimating strips. Usually, however, roads or trails are better 

 than survey lines because they are easier to travel. When 

 selected the base line should be surveyed and stakes set at equi- 

 distant f)oints, measured in a cardinal direction and not along 

 the base line. In fact the distance along the trail used may be 

 several times that in a cardinal direction on account of the twists 

 the trail makes to avoid rough going. From the stakes on the 

 base line the estimate strips should be nm across the valleys, 

 preferably in a cardinal direction. The object in running them 

 across the valleys is to avoid an overestimate by getting an undue 

 proportion of the better timber in the valley bottoms. By using 

 a cardinal direction possible compass errors are avoided because 

 it is much easier to keep the line straight when a cardinal direction 

 is used than when the lines are run at an angle less than 90 degrees. 



This strip method of estimating is, of course, not the only way 

 to determine the contents of a stand. It is, however, generally 

 considered the best and its costs may fairly be considered stand- 

 ard. Obviously an experienced local estimator does not need to 

 traverse a tract as carefully as one unfamiliar with the local 

 conditions. He relies on his judgment more because he has had 

 an opportunity to check it by the results of local logging. But 

 his fees are based on the cost of a strip survey. 



For spruce and balsam pulpwood is the use to which the 

 smallest timber can be put so that the minimum merchantable 

 limits for these species are determined by the sizes which the 

 pulp mills win take. The present minimum standard is a stick 

 four feet long and at least four inches in diameter at the top end. 

 Since at least two such sticks must be obtained from a tree to 

 pay for felling, trees less than six inches in diameter breast-high 

 are considered unmerchantable. For sawtimber alone the 

 limits are higher. At least six inches in the top and 10 inches 

 breast-high are the usual requirements. Suitable tables giving 



