the theory and practice of working plans 29 



Forest Description 



It is of the utmost importance for the working plan that 

 the silvical data secured in gridironing a forest be made a matter 

 of record. In order that the observer may put down his observa- 

 tions while they are fresh in his mind it is well to provide a 

 note-book or blanks with appropriate headings, such as those 

 in the following outline : 



Outline for Forest Description 



1. Locality. Name of tract or owner, township, county, 



state. (Govt. Survey give Sec, T., R., and M.) 



2. Situation and altitude. Reference to mountain, ridge, road, 



stream, camp, trail, etc. Elevation above sea level. 



3. Boundaries and area. Adjoining property. 



4. General topography. 



a. General character — level plain to steep mountain. 



h. Percentage of level land, gentle slopes, steep slopes, etc. 



c. Height of the hills above the neighboring streams. 



d. Drainage. 



5. Slope and aspect (aspect = exposure). 

 a. *^lope. 



Level o to 5% o to 3° 



Gentle 5 to 15 3 to 8.5 



Medium 15 to 30 8.5 to 16.5 



Steep 30 to 50 16 . 5 to 26 . 5 



Very steep 50 to 100 26.5 to 45 



Precipitous over 100 over 45 



h. Aspect, eight principal points of the compass. 



6. Underlying rock, outcroppings; the quantity and size of 



boulders. 



7. Soil. 



a. Physical composition: gravel, sand, loam, clay and 

 intermediate forms; also the amount of organic matter, 

 and possibly of lime. 



