SELLING WOODLOT PRODUCTS ON MICHIGAN FARMS. 11 



first 16 foot log; and the taper of the top log may be nearly as great. 

 A tall, slender tree may have 2I/2 or 3 inches taper between breastheight 

 and the top of the first log, li^ inches in the next 16 feet, and 2% 

 inches in the third log. The taper is normally greatest in the bottom and 

 top logs. 



The best instruments for measuring diameters are a diameter tape or 

 a pair of calipers. The diameter tape is a short steel tape in a case, 

 one side graduated in inches or in tenths of feet, the other in intervals 

 such that the exact diameter of any cylindrical object measured can be 

 read off directly in inches. A twenty foot diameter tape can be obtained 

 for approximately $1.75 or f2 through a local dealer in hardware or 

 surveying instruments. The same local dealer will be able to procure 

 tree calipers for from |3.15 to |4.50, depending on the size. This is a 

 beam graduated in inches and tenths, with a fixed arm at one end and 

 a sliding arm which indicates on the beam the diameter of a tree held 

 snugly between the two arms. 



In the absence of a diameter tape or calipers, diameters can be ob- 

 tained with sufficient accuracy by taking the girth of the tree with an 

 ordinary tape, graduated in inches and fractions, and dividing by 3. 

 The results obtained by dividing the girth by 3 will be slightly greater 

 than the actual diameters, so that it will be necessary to subtract a small 

 amount for trees over 7 inches in diameter. Thus 14 inch should be de- 

 ducted for trees between 8 and 16 inches in diameter; 1 inch for trees 

 from 17 to 24 inches; 1% inches for trees from 2 to 3 feet; and 2 

 inches for trees of larger size. If the thickness of the trees is fairly regu- 

 lar throughout the woodlot, the measurement of a number of them from 

 time to time will train the eye of a close obseiwer so that the diameters 

 of the rest can be estimated with approxinuite accuracy. An ordinary 

 two foot rule held at arms length against the tree will assist the eye in 

 estimating diameters. 



Although the lumber contents of cut logs are measured inside the hark, 

 it is usually easier and as accurate, in sizing up standing trees, to 

 estimate the diameters oiiUide the hark, and then to deduct an inch or 

 two for the double thickness of bark when the tallies are added up on 

 the summary sheet. The bark thickness can be determined, roughly, by 

 removing and measuring a few samples from about breastheight on 

 standing trees which are to be cut. The thickness should of course be 

 doubled before subtracting from the outside bark diameter. 



The majority of logs are now cut 16 feet long where possible, with a 

 few inches extra to allow for iu juries to the log ends in handling. Where 

 16 foot logs can not be obtained because of some defect or crookedness 

 of the tree trunk, 14, 12, 10, or even 8 foot logs can often be cut, and 

 these should be included in the list. When 16 feet is the standard length, 

 8 foot logs can be recorded as "Iialf-Iogs." Allowance must be made for 

 the stump, which ^^ill usually vary in height from 6 inches to 2 feet, 

 depending on the size of the tree. For medium sized trees a good rule 

 is to make the stump height about equal to its diameter. 



In tallying, the logs should be kept separate by species, by diameter, 

 by length, and preferably by quality. A simple and accurate method is 

 to record on a tally sheet like the one shown the logs in each tree as 

 the estimator comes to it. It is especially desirable to note the quality 

 of the logs when they are fit for veneer, quarter-sawing, or other high- 

 3 



