Site Classes 



Site class was determined by the average number 

 of 16-foot merchantable logs that an area is capable 

 of producing in mature trees. All stem sections one- 

 half log (8 feet) in length or longer, suitable for 

 crossties or rough lumber were considered to be 

 merchantable. Merchantable heights were estimated 

 to the nearest one-half log. Where mattne trees were 

 not present, site was estimated from soil and mois- 

 ture conditions, topography, exposure, and appear- 

 ance of vegetation. The following site classes were 

 recognized: 



Very good.— Areas that can produce hardwood 



trees averaging three or more logs at mattnity. 



Goorf.— Areas that can produce hardwood trees 



averaging 2 to 21/9 logs at maturity. 

 Fair.— Areas that can produce hardwood trees 



that average 1 to 1 14 logs at maturity. 

 Poor.— Areas that can produce hardwood trees 

 that average one-half log at maturity. 



Stand-Size Classes 



Large sawtimber stands.— Stands having a mini- 

 mum net vokmie of 1,500 board feet per acre in 

 sawtimber trees, with more than half of this vokmie 

 in trees 15 inches d.b.h. and larger. 



Small sawtimber stands.— Stands having a net 

 volume of 1,500 board feet per acre in sawtimber 

 trees, with at least half of this volume in trees 

 smaller than 15 inches d.b.h. 



PoLETiMBER STANDS.— Stands failing to meet the 

 sawtimber stand specification, but at least 10-percent 

 stocked with poletimber and larger (5.0 inches d.b.h. 

 and larger) trees and with at least half the minimum 

 stocking in poletimber trees. 



Seedling and sapling stands.— Stands not qualify- 

 ing as either sawtimber or poletimber, but having 

 at least 10-percent stocking of trees, at least 300 

 seedlings of commercial species, and with at least 

 half the minimum stocking in seedling and sapling 

 trees. 



NONSTOCKED AND OTHER AREAS NOT ELSEWHERE 



CLASSIFIED.— Areas not qualifying as sawtimber, pole- 

 tiinber, or seedling and sapling stands. 



Diameter Measurement and Classes 



Diameter at breast height (d.b.h.).— Tree diam- 

 eter, outside bark, measured at 4.5 feet above aver- 

 age ground level. 



Diameter class.— Trees were recorded in 2-inch 

 diameter classes, each class including 1 inch below 

 and 0.9 inch above the midpoint of the class; e.g., 

 the 8-inch class included all trees ranging from 7 to 

 8.9 inches d.b.h. 



Diameter inside bark (d.i.b.). — Tree diameter 

 inside the bark at any point specified. 



Hardirood l.o^ Grades^ 



Grade 1.— Biut logs at least 14.0 inches (upper 

 logs at least 16.0 inches) in diameter inside bark at 

 the small end. Minimum length of butt logs is 10 

 feet; 8 feet for upper logs. Five-sixths of the surface 

 on the three best faces must be clear of defect. Two 

 clear cuttings arc allowed on any face, but the mini- 

 mum length of cuttings is 7 feet for butt logs and 

 5 feet for upper logs. Cull deductions including 

 sweep cannot exceed 25 percent for butt logs and 40 

 percent for upper logs. Such logs will normally yield 

 about 65 percent No. 1 Common and better lumber. 



Grade 2.— Logs at least 12 inches in diameter in- 

 side bark at the small end. Minimum length is 8 

 feet. Two-thirds of the surface on the three best 

 faces must be clear of defect. Three clear cuttings 

 are allowed on any face, but the minimum length 

 of cuttings is 3 feet. Cull deductions including sweep 

 cannot exceed 50 percent. Such logs for most species 

 will normally yield about 40 percent No. 1 Common 

 and better lumber. 



Grade 3.— Logs at least 8 inches in diameter in- 

 side bark at the small end. Minimum length is 8 

 feet. Minimum standards require that these logs be 

 at least 50 percent sound and qualify at least for 

 manufacttue of local-use lumber or railroad ties and 

 timbers. Such logs for most species in Kentucky will 

 normally yield about 20 percent No. 1 Common 

 and better lumber. 



Growth 



Ingrowth.— The total volume of all trees that 

 during the year reach the minimum diameter (5.0 

 inches) for growing stock or the minimum diameter 

 for sawtimber of 9.0 inches for softwoods and 11.0 

 for hardwoods. 



-1 The hardwood log grades used are essentially those pub- 

 lished as "Interim Sawlog Grades for Southern Hardwoods," 

 by C. R. Lockard and R. D. Carpenter, Southern Forest Ex- 

 periment Station, 1947 (J) . Persons interested in detailed 

 specifications should considt this publication. 



Kentucky's Forest Resources and Industries 



39 



