Site tree (forestry)

Site tree (forestry)

Site tree refers to a type of tree used in forestry to classify the quality of growing conditions at a particular forest location. A site tree is a single tree in a stand (group of growing trees) that gives a good representation of the average dominant or co-dominant tree in the stand. Site trees are used to calculate the site index of the site in reference to a particular tree species. A site tree should belong to the dominant or co-dominant overstory class. [ [http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/7372 Site Index Comparisons for Several Tree Species in the Virginia- Carolina Piedmont ] ] The total height of the tree and age measured at Diameter at breast height of a sample of site trees will be used to determine a site index, which will show how tall trees of different species can grow on that site in a set amount of time. Sometimes several years are added to the breast-height age to account for time grown below 4.5 feet.

Determining what a site tree should look like in a stand varies with what kind of stand one is standing in. The simplest stand to find a site tree in is an even aged stand comprised of one species, much like a forest plantation. In this stand almost any dominant or co-dominant tree can be used. Finding a site tree is more difficult in uneven-aged, mixed species, stands.

There are multiple assumptions that are made when a site tree is chosen. Each site tree is assumed to have been a dominant or co-dominant individual its entire life. The site tree is assumed to have never been broken, injured, or suppressed. If the tree had any of these things happen to it the site index, which is derived from the site tree, value will be skewed.

Site trees are chosen by what species is being grown in a particular forest. Different trees on the same site will produce different measurements of a site index. For example, a yellow-poplar ("Liriodendron tulipifera") [ [http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=54 Liriodendron tulipifera Fact Sheet ] ] growing on the same site as a white oak ("Quercus alba") [ [http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=35 Quercus alba Fact Sheet ] ] will grow at a different rate over the same amount of time. Graphs have been made that allow the user to measure a site tree of specific species and then use that measurement to predict what the measurements of a site tree of another species would be on the same site. This allows the user to predict how one species would grow on a site if that species was planted on the site. This is especially useful for timber production, harvest operations, or any other forestry silvicultural management that has specific species regeneration as a goal of the management plan.

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Forestry — is the art and science of managing forests, tree plantations, and related natural resources. Silviculture, a related science, involves the growing and tending of trees and forests. Modern forestry generally concerns itself with: assisting forests …   Wikipedia

  • Tree allometry — Tree AllometryDefined as the growth or size of some part of a tree in relation to the growth or size of different parts of a tree.The study of allometry is extremely important in dealing with measurements and data analysis in the practice of… …   Wikipedia

  • Site index — is a term used in forestry to describe the potential for forest trees to grow at a particular location or site. Site is defined as “inherent characteristics of the physical environment” [Nyland, R.D. 2002. Silviculture: Concepts and Applications …   Wikipedia

  • Tree Line USA — is a program sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters for cities and towns across the United States and recognizes public and private utilities across the nation that… …   Wikipedia

  • forestry — /fawr euh stree, for /, n. 1. the science of planting and taking care of trees and forests. 2. the process of establishing and managing forests; forestation. 3. forestland. [1685 95; < MF foresterie. See FOREST, RY] * * * Management of forested… …   Universalium

  • Tree inventory — A tree inventory is the gathering of accurate information on the health and diversity of the community forest. [http://www.canr.uconn.edu Connecticut cooperative extension forestry] Uses Tree inventories focus on the attributes of individual… …   Wikipedia

  • Outline of forestry — See also: Index of forestry articles The following outline is provided as an overview of and guide to forestry: Forestry – the art and science of managing forests, tree plantations, and related natural resources. Forest ecosystems have come to be …   Wikipedia

  • Christmas tree cultivation — A Christmas tree farmer in the U.S. state of Florida explains the pruning and shearing process of cultivation to a government employee. Christmas tree cultivation is an agricultural, forestry, and horticultural occupation which involves growing… …   Wikipedia

  • University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources — University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources …   Wikipedia

  • Community forestry — is an evolving branch of forestry whereby the local community plays a significant role in forest management and land use decision making. It involves the participation and collaboration of various stakeholders including community, government and… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”