SAMPLE PLOTS IK SILVICULTURAL RESEARCH 27 



If the plot has been divided (p. 16), all the trees on a given sec- 

 tion should be numbered before the next section is entered. Before 

 any section is left a check should be made to insure that no trees 

 have been missed. The sections should be worked systematically 

 back and forth across the plot. This scheme furnishes such a con- 

 venient means of keeping a check on the numbering that it is 

 justifiable to divide plots for this purpose alone. 



The danger of overlooking trees and breaking the numerical suc- 

 cession is lessened if the progress of a man painting or stamping 

 numbers on trees is so directed that while working on any given 

 tree he can see the last preceding number. This arrangement helps 

 materially, also, in remeasuring trees and in numbering new trees. 

 It is particularly advantageous where the numbered trees are scat- 

 tered. If the plot is divided, the numbers on each tier of sections 

 may be placed to face the operator as he proceeds along the tier. 

 This scheme makes numbers on adjacent tiers face in opposite 

 directions. 



On a hillside, unless it is very steep, numbers can be read most 

 easily if placed on the uphill side of the trees. 



Tags are less likely to be molested if placed so as not to be visible 

 from a road or trail. 



NUMBERING NEW TREES 



For numbering additional trees at times of remeasurement, many 

 different methods are used. In one, the new trees are given num- 

 bers that will indicate the time when they were numbered; for 

 instance, the number " 1-15 " may be given to the fifteenth tree 

 numbered at the time of the first reexamination. In another, the 

 number indicates the tree's relative position in the stand; thus the 

 number " 68A " is given to a tree standing near tree no. 68 of the 

 original series. Difficulty is encountered in getting such numbers 

 stamped on tags at the time when they are needed. Neither of these 

 schemes can be used without modification if the individual tree data 

 are to be identified when placed on punch cards. The plan giving 

 the greatest satisfaction in most cases is merely to continue the 

 original series of numbers and to record in the field notes that cer- 

 tain trees mentioned by number were numbered at the time of the 

 first remeasurement, that certain other trees also indicated by num- 

 ber were numbered at the second remeasurement, etc. The field 

 notes should show for each new numbered tree the numbers of the 

 nearest trees. This makes it possible to locate the new trees in an 

 orderly fashion and saves much searching for missing trees at times 

 of remeasurement. 



In some instances, new trees may be so numerous as to justify 

 renumbering all the trees. In such cases great care is required to 

 make sure that old and new numbers are properly referenced. 



In numbering new trees the same procedure should be followed as 

 was followed in the original numbering on the same plot. This 

 serves to keep the increase in the series always in the same direction 

 and obviates confusion. 



BREAST-HEIGHT MARKINGS 



The point at which all diameter measurements are to be made 

 should be marked on each numbered tree. It may be indicated by 



