FOREST MENSURATION 



PARAGRAPH I. 



DEFINITION AND SUBDIVISION. 



Definition : By "Forest Mensuration," the forester ascertains the vol- 

 ume, the age, the increment and the stumpage value of trees, parts of 

 trees and aggregates of trees. As a branch of forestry, forest mensura- 

 tion may be divided into the following five parts : 



I. Determination of volume of trees cut down, of standing trees 



and of forests. 

 II. Determination of age of trees and of forests. 



III. Determination of increment of trees and of forests. 



IV. Determination of sawn lumber. 

 V. Determination of stumpage value. 



Circular 445 of the Bureau of Forestry defines mensuration as "the 

 determination of the present and future product of the forest." 



American literature is found in Bulletin 20, Division of Forestry; Bul- 

 letin 36, Bureau of Forestry; S. B. Green, page 132; Lumber & Log Book 

 and Lumberman's Handbook, edited by the "American Lumberman." 



CHAPTER I. VOLUME. 



SECTION I. VOLUME OF TREES CUT DOWN. 

 PARAGRAPH II. 



UNITS OF VOLUME. 



The volume of a tree or of a tree section is expressed : 



1. For scientific purposes, on the basis of exact measurements, in 



cubic feet or cubic meters. 



2. For practical purposes, by estimates according to local usage, often 



assisted by partial measurement, in local units (feet board 

 measure; standards; cords; cubic feet; cord feet; etc.). 



PARAGRAPH III. 



MATHEMATICAL FORM OF TREES. 



Trees do not grow, like crystals, according to purely mathematical laws. 

 Tree growth is deeply influenced by individuality, by surroundings, by 

 accidental occurrences, etc. 



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