• Address:
  705 Spear Street
  South Burlington, Vermont 05403
  United States of America
  
  Phone: (802) 391-4135
  Email: femc@uvm.edu
  Website: www.uvm.edu/femc

The Scientific Forest Management Area in Baxter State Park, Maine contains 111 plots established in 1996 to provide detailed assessments of the forest condition.

• Label: AutoID

• Storage Type: int

• Label: Azimuth

• Description: Measured from the sample CENTER to the TREE to the nearest degree using a mirror sighting compass, compensating for declination

• Storage Type: int

• Measurment Type: ratio
• Precision: 1
• Unit: degrees
• Number Type: whole
• Bounds:
• Minimum: 0
• Maximum: 360

• Label: BSPAID

• Description: Baxter State Park Area ID

• Storage Type: int

• Measurment Type: nominal

• Label: Condition

• Description: Assessment of tree health (if a tree had more than one condition the first item encountered on the RANKED list of conditions was chosen first

• Storage Type: text

• Measurment Type: nominal

• Custom List: Condition_Codes
• Code: BTOP
• Definition: Broken Top
• Code: DTOP
• Definition: Dead Top
• Code: FTOP
• Definition: Forked Top
• Code: CLN
• Definition: Clean
• Code: DIEB
• Definition: Crown Dieback
• Code: RBUT
• Definition: Rotten Butt Log
• Code: UNKWN
• Definition: Unknown
• Code: NA
• Definition: Non-applicable

• Label: DBH

• Description: Diameter at breast height. In most cases DBH was measured above the scribe mark to the nearest 1/10 of an inch. All trees >=4/6" were measured. DBH was measured using a DBH tape.

• Storage Type: decimal

• Measurment Type: ratio
• Precision: 0.01
• Unit: inch
• Number Type: rational

• Label: Horizontal Distance

• Description: From plot center at the ground line to center side of stump –Used Haglof Vertex Hypsometer or distance tape.

• Storage Type: decimal

• Measurment Type: ratio
• Precision: 0.1
• Unit: ft

• Label: Live Crown Ratio

• Description: Ocular estimate of the ratio between the live crown and the total height of the tree.

• Storage Type: text

• Measurment Type: nominal
• Unit: percent

• Label: Measurement Year

• Description: Year the tree was measured

• Storage Type: date

• Measurment Type: datetime
• Unit: Year

• Label: Quality

• Description: Standard assessment of merchantability

• Storage Type: text

• Measurment Type: nominal

• Custom List: CFI_Quality_Codes
• Code: AGS
• Definition: Acceptable growing stock, tree capable of producing sawlog product now or in future.
• Code: UGS
• Definition: Un-acceptable growing stock, tree not capable of producing sawlog product now or in future.
• Code: NA
• Definition: Live Tree unkown AGS or UGS status.
• Code: AGS+
• Definition: High quality tree potential veneer or clear sawlog now or in future.
• Code: CULL
• Definition: Live Tree not capable of producing commercial product now or in future.
• Code: UKNWN
• Definition: Qaulity is unknown or un-recorded

• Label: Remark

• Description: Additional comments by the researcher

• Storage Type: text

• Measurment Type: nominal

• Label: Sample ID

• Description: Sample ID

• Storage Type: int

• Measurment Type: nominal

• Label: Species

• Description: Tree species based on the Forest Vegetation Simulator codes from the US Forest Service

• Storage Type: text

• Measurment Type: nominal

• Species List: Baxter State Park Species Codes
• • Code: AB
  • • Definition: ITIS #19462, American beech (Fagus grandifolia)
  • Code: EH
  • • Definition: ITIS #183397, Canada hemlock; hemlock spruce (Tsuga canadensis)
  • Code: HH
  • • Definition: ITIS #19511, eastern hophornbeam; hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
  • Code: NC
  • • Definition: None #, Custom Species Code ( )
  • Code: PB
  • • Definition: ITIS #19489, paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
  • Code: BF
  • • Definition: ITIS #18032, balsam fir (Abies balsamea)
  • Code: QA
  • • Definition: ITIS #195773, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)
  • Code: RM
  • • Definition: ITIS #28728, red maple (Acer rubrum)
  • Code: RS
  • • Definition: ITIS #18034, red spruce (Picea rubens)
  • Code: SM
  • • Definition: ITIS #28731, sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
  • Code: ST
  • • Definition: ITIS #28754, striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum)
  • Code: YB
  • • Definition: ITIS #19481, yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
  • Code: WS
  • • Definition: ITIS #183295, white spruce (Picea glauca)
  • Code: WP
  • • Definition: ITIS #183385, eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)
  • Code: WC
  • • Definition: ITIS #505490, arborvitae; eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
  • Code: WA
  • • Definition: ITIS #32931, white ash (Fraxinus americana)
  • Code: TA
  • • Definition: ITIS #183412, tamarack (Larix laricina)
  • Code: RP
  • • Definition: ITIS #183375, red pine (Pinus resinosa)
  • Code: RO
  • • Definition: ITIS #19408, northern red oak (Quercus rubra)
  • Code: PC
  • • Definition: ITIS #24799, pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)
  • Code: BT
  • • Definition: ITIS #22463, bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata)
  • Code: BS
  • • Definition: ITIS #183302, black spruce; bog spruce (Picea mariana)
  • Code: bp
  • • Definition: ITIS #22453, balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera)
  • Code: BC
  • • Definition: ITIS #24764, black cherry (Prunus serotina)
  • Code: BA
  • • Definition: ITIS #32945, black ash (Fraxinus nigra)
  • Code: AE
  • • Definition: ITIS #19049, American elm (Ulmus americana)
  • Code: UN
  • • Definition: None #, Custom Species Code ( )
  • Code: SW
  • • Definition: ITIS #19300, swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)
  • Code: HWS
  • • Definition: None #, Custom Species Code ( )
  • Code: SWS
  • • Definition: None #, Custom Species Code ( )

• Label: Status

• Description: Description of the health of the tree

• Storage Type: int

• Measurment Type: nominal

• Custom List: BSP_TreeStatus_Codes
• Code: 1
• Definition: Living
• Code: 2
• Definition: Living Ingrowth
• Code: 6
• Definition: Dead Standing
• Code: 7
• Definition: Dead Uprooted
• Code: 8
• Definition: Dead on the Ground
• Code: 4
• Definition: Harvested
• Code: 5
• Definition: Dead brash failure
• Code: 3
• Definition: Living Previously missed
• Code: 9
• Definition: Dead Ingrowth
• Code: 10
• Definition: Missing
• Code: 11
• Definition: Outside Plot

• Label: Total Height

• Description: Total height of the tree measured from the base of the trunk to the top of the tree. Height measurements were taken using the Haglof Vertex IV Hypsometer

• Storage Type: int

• Measurment Type: ratio
• Precision: 1
• Unit: ft
• Number Type: whole

• Label: Tree ID

• Description: All trees at a subplot have a unique tree id.

• Storage Type: int

• Measurment Type: nominal

• Label: Tree Out of Sample Perimeter

• Description: This field marks any trees that are out of the sample perimeter

• Storage Type: text

• Measurment Type: nominal

• Sample Locations
  • Started: 2012-08-13
    
  • Method Description: The majority of sample locations were established using a grid system at the scale of the entire SFMA area. Additional samples have been established in specific stands or forest areas, also on area specific grids. All sample locations are given and recorded using UTM coordinates in meters for UTM Zone 19 with reference to the North American Datum for 1983 (NAD83). If a sample location is substantially different (>30-50+ft) of the location given by the GPS unit (the catalogued location) the correct location should be recorded in the field. A minimum of 100 averaged readings must be taken. *Record the actual (not as planned) GPS coordinates as UTM northing and easting on the data sheet.

• Finding/Marking the Sample Center:
  • Started: 2012-08-13
    
  • Method Description: When approaching the GPS location, look for bark-scribed trees and witness tree tags as well as tree ID numbers in blue paint. Look for the rebar/steel center pin, plastic flagging may be visible on the pin or trees around it, the witness tree azimuths and distances can help in finding an obscured pin. If the plot center pin cannot be found, consider returning with a metal detector to find the pin if it became buried. Otherwise re-establish the plot center, marked with a rebar pin driven partly into the ground, based on tree azimuths and distances. Hang a long-tailed flag as close to the plot center as possible.
  Instrumentation: Garmin GPS unit with averaging capability, Spare Batteries, Suunto compass or mirror type sighting compass set for azimuths, Metal Detector, Flagging, Rebar Pin

• Plot Perimeter
  • Started: 2012-08-13
    
  • Method Description: Tree distance will be measured from plot center to the center side of the tree stump. Borderline “out” trees will be marked with an “X” at approximate DBH using blue tube paint.
  Instrumentation: Garmin GPS unit with averaging capability, Spare Batteries, Suunto compass or mirror type sighting compass set for azimuths, Metal Detector, Flagging, Rebar Pin, Blue Tube Paint

• 100' Loggers or fiberglass tape
• Sampling Description: Acts as back up for Haglof Vertex Hypsometer to measure distances from center.

• Aluminum nails
• Sampling Description: Used for marking trees

• Blue Nel-spot paint and paintgun: spare nozzles, tip cleaning probe, and small pliers
• Sampling Description: Used to mark trees

• D-tape (inches)
• Sampling Description: Used to measure tree diameters

• Diameter Fork
• Sampling Description: Used as an alternative method to measure tree diameter

• Extra plot center pins
• Sampling Description: Used in the case that center pins are ruined or can't be found

• Flat aluminum tags
• Sampling Description: Used to tag witness trees around plot center

• Garmin GPS unit with averaging capability: spare batteries
• Sampling Description: Used to relocate plots and to mark new plots if needed

• Haglof plot center pole and 360 degree mount
• Sampling Description: Used with Haglof Vertex IV Hypsometer to hold unit up while researcher measures tree heights and horizontal distances

• Haglof Vertex IV Hypsometer: spare batteries (AA)
• Sampling Description: Used to measure tree heights and horizontal distance

• Hammer
• Sampling Description: Used to fix or pulls nails

• Nelson blue tree marking tube paint
• Sampling Description: Used to mark trees

• Suunto compass or mirror type sighting compass set for azimuths
• Sampling Description: Used with Garmin GPS to navigate to and from plots.