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Selling Your Trees: A Guide for Landowners |
PO Box 11750
Blacksburg, VA
24062
540-951-2094
Fax: 540-951-0223
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Adapted from the Virginia Department of Forestry Stewardship Plan Glossary.
ACRE. An area of land containing 43,560 square feet, roughly the size of a football field, or a square that is 208 feet on a side.
ADVANCED REGENERATION. Advanced regeneration are those trees that will in part form the next stand if the current overstory is harvested, killed, or dies of natural causes. Regeneration can vary in size from seed sprouts, just several inches tall, to sapling size trees 1-5 inches in diameter.
AFFORESTATION. Establishing a forest on an area which has not previously had trees growing on it.
ALL-AGE FOREST. A forest stand in which trees of all ages and usually all sizes are present. This is in contrast to an even-aged" forest.
ANTHRACNOSE. A disease usually characterized by ulcer-like leaf or fruit spots and caused by fungi that produce asexual spores in the type of fruiting body called an acervulus.
ASPECT. The compass direction towards which a slope faces.
ASSOCIATION. An assemblage of plants having ecologically similar requirements and including one or more dominant species from which it derives a definite character.
AZIMUTH. Direction from a point, measured in degrees clockwise from true north.
BARE ROOT-SEEDLING. Stock shipped without their roots being in soil.
BASAL AREA. Of a tree- the cross-sectional area (in square feet) of the trunk at breast height (4-1/2 feet above ground). For example, the basal area of a tree 14 inches DBH is approximately 1 square foot. Of an acre of forest-the sum of basal areas of the individual trees on the acre. For example, a well stocked northern hardwood stand might contain 80-100 square feet of basal area.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs). Implies a practice or combination of practices, that is determined by a state or designated area-wide planning agency to be the most effective means of preventing or reducing the amount of pollution.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL. The use of organisms or
viruses to control parasites, weeds, or other pests.
BLAZE. To mark a tree, usually by painting and/or cutting the bark. Boundaries
of forest properties frequently are delineated by blazing trees along
the boundary line.
BLOWDOWN. A tree pushed over by the wind, also called windthrow.
BMP. See Best Management Practices.
BOARD FOOT. A unit measuring wood volumes equaling 144 cubic inches which is commonly used to measure and express the amount of wood in a tree, sawlog, veneer log or individual piece of lumber. For example, a piece of wood 1 foot x 1 foot x 1 inch or one measuring 1 foot x 3 inches x 4 inches both contain 1 board foot of wood.
BOLE. The main trunk of a tree.
BREAST HEIGHT. The standard height, 4-1/2 feet above average ground level, at which the diameter of a standing tree is measured. Abbr. D.B.H.
BROAD-BASED DIP. This is a surface drainage structure specifically designed to tip water out of a dirt road while vehicles maintain normal haul speeds.
BROOD REARING HABITAT. Commonly referred to as "bugging areas", this habitat provides an abundance of insects for young turkeys and quail as well as many nongame species of birds.
BROWSE. Portions of woody plants including twigs, shoots, and leaves used as food by such animals as deer.
BUTT LOG. This is the first log above the stump and is generally the most valuable log in a tree.
CAMBIUM. The layer of cells between the inner bark and wood of a tree. This is where growth takes place.
CANOPY. The upper level of a forest, consisting of branches and leaves of taller trees.
CARRYING CAPACITY. The maximum number of animals possible in an area without inducing damage to vegetation or related resources; may vary from year to year because of fluctuating forage production.
CLEARCUT. A harvesting technique which removes all the trees (regardless of size) on an area in one operation. Clearcutting is most often used with species which require full sunlight to reproduce and grow well. Produces an even-aged forest stand.
COMMERCIAL TREATMENTS. Forestry operations, such as thinning or other TSI work, which generate income from sale of the trees that are removed.
COMMUNITY. A collection of living organisms functioning together in an organized system through which energy, nutrients, and water cycle.
CONIFER. A tree belonging to the order coniferales which is usually evergreen, cone-bearing and with needle, awl or scalelike leaves such as pine, spruce, fir and cedar; often referred to as a "softwood".
CONSERVATION. The protection, improvement, and use of natural resources according to principles that will assure their highest economic and social service.
CONSUMER SCALE. Wood is hauled off the land and is measured at the mill (where the logger sells his wood). The logger reports this mill scale to the landowner. Payment to the landowner is based on this scale at the mill.
CONTACT HERBICIDE. An herbicide that kills primarily by contact with plant tissue rather than as a result of translocation; only the portions of the plant which actually come in contact with the chemical are affected.
CONTROLLED BURNING. The planned application of fire with intent to confine it to a predetermined area.
COOL SEASON FORAGE. Plants that mainly provide a winter or early spring food source for wildlife (examples: clover, winter wheat, rye, ryegrass).
COPPICE FOREST. A forest consisting wholly or mainly of sprouts.
CORD. A pile of wood 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long, measuring 128 cubic feet. Actual volume of solid wood in a cord will vary from 60 to 100 cubic feet, depending on size of individual pieces and orderliness of stacking. In the Lake States, pulpwood cords are usually 4' x 4' x 100" and contain 133 cubic feet.
CORDWOOD. Small diameter and/or low quality wood suitable for firewood, pulp, or chips, but not for sawlogs.
COVER. Physical habitat structure that allows resting places or protection for wildlife.
CROP TREE. A tree identified to be grown to maturity and which is not removed from the forest before the final harvest cut. Usually selected on the basis of its location with respect to other trees and its quality.
CROWN. The branches and foliage of a tree; the upper portion of a tree.
CRUISE. A survey of forest land to locate timber and estimate its quantity by species, products, size, quality, or other characteristics. Also refers to an estimate derived from such a survey.
CULL. 1) A tree or log of merchantable size rendered unmerchantable because of poor form, limbiness, rot or other defect. 2) The deduction from gross volume made to adjust for defect. 3) To cut a small portion of a stand by selecting one or a few of the best trees. 4) To reject a tree, log, or board in scaling or grading. 5) Any item of production which does not meet specifications.
DAMPING-OFF. The killing of young seedlings by certain fungi that cause decay of the stem or roots.
DBH. See Diameter Breast Height.
DIAMETER, BREAST HIGH (DBH). The diameter of a tree at 4.5 feet above average ground level, except that in National Forest practice it is measured from the highest ground level.
DECIDUOUS TREE. A tree which loses all of its leaves during the winter season.
DEFECT. Any irregularity or imperfection in a tree, log, piece product, or lumber that reduces the volume of sound wood or lowers its durability, strength, or utility value. Defects in lumber may result from such factors as insect or fungus attack, growth conditions and abnormalities, manufacturing or seasonal practices, etc.
DEFOLIATION. The loss of leaves or foliage on a plant or tree.
DEN TREE. A hollow tree used as a home by a mammal.
DIAMETER-LIMIT SALE. A timber sale in which all trees over a specified dbh may be cut. Diameter-limit sales often result in high grading.
DIEBACK. The progressive dying, from the tip downward, of twigs, branches or tops.
DISCING. A site preparation system where a heavy harrow with large disks is pulled over a site in order to eliminate competing vegetation.
DIVERSITY. The variety of plants and animals on an area.
DOMINANT TREES. Those trees within a forest stand which extend their crowns above surrounding trees and capture sunlight from above and around the crown.
DOYLE RULE. One of several log rules designed to estimate the board-foot volume of lumber which can be sawn from logs of a given length and diameter. See log rule.
ECOLOGICAL NICHE. The role a particular organism plays in the environment.
ECOLOGY. The study of interactions between living organisms and their environment.
ECOSYSTEM. An interacting system of living organisms (plants and/or animals), soil and climatic factors. Foresters consider a forest an ecosystem.
EDGE. The boundary between open land and woodland or two other ecological communities. This transaction area between environments provides valuable wildlife habitat. Consideration of edge can reduce visual impact of a timber harvest.
ENDANGERED SPECIES. A species designated as being in danger of becoming extinct.
ENDEMIC. Native or confined to a certain area.
ENVIRONMENT. The prevailing conditions which reflect the combined influence of climate, soil, topography and biology (other plants and animals) factors present in an area.
EPICORMIC BRANCHING. Branches which grow out of the main stem of a tree, arising from buds under the bark. Severe epicormic branching increases knottiness, thereby reducing the quality of lumber sawn.
EROSION. The process by which soil particles are detached and transported by water, wind and gravity to some downslope or downstream point.
EVEN-AGED FOREST. A forest in which all of the trees present are essentially the same age (within 10 to 20 years).
EVERGREEN. Trees which retain green foliage throughout the year. Not all conifers are evergreens. An example is tamarack.
EXTINCT. Being no longer found anywhere in the world-e.g.; passenger pigeon.
FACE CORD. Stove length wood with a "face" of 32 square feet (a stack four feet high and eight feet wide). The volume of a face cord depends on its length.
FAUNA. Animals.
FIREBREAK. A natural or constructed barrier utilized to stop or check fires that may occur or to provide a control line from which to work. Sometimes called a fire lane.
FLORA. Plants.
FOLIAGE. Growth of leaves on a tree or other plant.
FOOD CHAIN. A group of plants, animals, and/or microorganisms linked together as sources and consumers of food.
FOREST. A plant community in which the dominant vegetation is trees and other woody plants.
FORESTATION. The establishment of forest naturally or artificially upon areas where it is at present absent or insufficient. See Afforestation; Reforestation.
FORESTED WETLAND. An area characterized by woody vegetation over 20 feet tall where soil is at least periodically saturated with or covered by water.
FOREST MANAGEMENT. Giving the forest the proper care so that it remains healthy and vigorous and provides the products and amenities the landowner desires. (Technical Definition: The application of technical forestry principles and practices and business techniques (such as accounting, benefit-cost analysis, etc.) to the management of a forest.)
FORESTRY. The scientific management of forests for the continuous production of goods and services.
FOREST SURVEY. An inventory of forest land to determine area, condition, timber volume, and species for specific purposes such as timber purchase, forest management or as a basis for forest policies and programs.
FOREST TYPE. A group of tree species which, because of their environmental requirements and tolerance for shade and moisture, are repeatedly found growing together. Examples are the jack pine type and the aspen-paper birch type.
FULLY STOCKED STAND. A forest stand in which all growing space is effectively occupied but having ample room for development of the crop trees.
GIRDLE. To encircle the stem of a living tree with cuts that completely sever bark and cambium and often are carried well into the outer sapwood, for the purpose of killing the tree by preventing passage of nutrients or by introducing toxic materials. Besides girdling proper, or removal of bark and cambium in a band of appreciable width girdling may take several forms, viz: 1) Hacking or frilling--A single line of overlapping downward axe cuts, leaving a frill into which toxic materials may be poured. 2) Double hacking--Girdling by means of a double frill cut around the tree and the removal of the chips between them. 3) Notching--Ringing the tree with notches cut well into the sapwood. 4) Stripping--Peeling off a band of bark completely around the tree.
GRADING. Evaluating and sorting trees or logs according to quality.
GROUP SELECTION. A process of harvesting patches of selected trees to create openings in the forest canopy and to encourage reproduction of uneven-aged stands.
GROWTH RATE. With reference to wood, the rate at which the wood substance has been added to the tree at any particular point; usually expressed in terms of number of rings per inch. Growth rate bears an inverse relationship to number of rings per inch. Also applies to volume, value, or other types of increase in trees or stands.
GROWTH RINGS. The layers of wood laid down each growing season, also called annual rings. These rings frequently are visible when a tree is cut and may be used to estimate the age of the tree, as well as to determine the rate of its growth.
HABITAT. The local environment in which a plant or animal lives.
HARD MAST. Fruits of oaks, hickories, pines, and beech trees that are important foods of many species of wildlife in the fall and winter.
HARDWOOD. A term used to describe broadleaf, usually deciduous, trees such as oaks, maples, ashes, elms, etc. It does not necessarily refer to the hardness of the wood.
HARVEST. A general term for the removal of trees.
HEARTWOOD. The inner core of a woody stem, wholly composed of nonliving cells and usually differentiated from the outer enveloping layer (sapwood) by its darker color.
HEEL-IN. To store young trees prior to planting by placing them in a trench and covering the roots or rooting portions with soil.
HEIGHT, MERCHANTABLE. The height of a tree (or length of its trunk) up to which a particular product may be obtained. For example, if the minimum usable diameter of pulpwood sticks is 4 inches, the merchantable height of a straight pine tree would be its height up to a trunk diameter of 4 inches. Note, one must know the product being cut to estimate merchantable height.
HERBACEOUS VEGETATION. The low-growing, non-woody plants in a forest understory, including wildflowers and ferns.
HERBICIDE. A chemical which kills herbaceous (non-woody) plants. In common usage, however, often used interchangeably with the words phytocide (plant killer) and silvicide (tree killer).
HIGH GRADING. Removing the mature, high quality trees from a stand and leaving inferior species and defective trees. "Take the best and leave the rest." Generally regarded as a poor forestry practice.
IMPROVEMENT CUT. A cutting made in a stand past the sapling stage for the purpose of improving its composition and character, by removing trees of less desirable species, form and condition in the main crown canopy.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM). An ecological approach to pest management in which all available necessary techniques are consolidated into a unified program so that pest populations can be managed in such a manner that economic damage is avoided and adverse side effects are minimized.
INTERMEDIATE CUT. The removal of immature trees from the forest sometime between establishment and major harvest with the primary objective of improving the quality of the remaining forest stand. Contrast with harvest cut. An intermediate cut may generate income (commercial cutting) or, in some cases, may actually cost the forest landowner (a non-commercial cutting).
INTERNATIONAL RULE. One of several log rules designed to estimate the volume of lumber which may be sawn from a given log. See log rule.
INTERPLANT. To set young trees among existing forest growth of similar age and/or size, planted or natural, to bring the stand to a fully stocked condition.
IPM. See Integrated Pest Management.
J-ROOT. Seedling roots planted in a manner that forms a J-shaped configuration in the planting slit. Such seedlings may grow poorly or die.
LANDING. An area where wood is concentrated in a harvest operation prior to hauling to the mill. Yard is synonymous.
LOGGING DEBRIS (SLASH). That unwanted, unutilized, and generally unmarketable accumulation of woody material in the forest such as limbs, tops, cull logs, and stumps, that remain as forest residue after timber harvesting.
LOG RULE. A device, usually presented in tabular form, which expresses log volume content based on log diameter (inside bark of the small end) and length. A log rule expresses the volume of cut logs. A tree rule expresses the volume of standing trees.
LUMP-SUM SALE. A timber sale in which payment is based on the APPRAISED value of the tract, distinguished from a sale in which payment is based on the volume HARVESTED and SCALED.
MBF. Thousand board feet - unit for measuring wood volume. One board foot is 1 foot x 1 foot x 1 inch or .144 cubic inches.
MARKING TIMBER. The process of indicating what trees are to be cut or otherwise treated. Prior to timber sales it is advisable to mark with paint each tree to be harvested. One spot of paint at eye level and one on the stump portion will help determine whether unmarked trees have been cut.
MAST. Nutlike fruits of trees, such as acorns, beechnuts, and chestnuts. Mast is valuable as a source of food for many wildlife species.
MATURE TREE. A tree that has reached the desired size or age for its intended use. Size or age will vary considerably depending on the species and intended use.
MERCHANTABLE HEIGHT. The height of a tree (or length of its trunk) up to which a particular product may be obtained. For example, if the minimum usable diameter of pulpwood sticks is 4 inches, the merchantable height of a straight pine tree would be its height up to a trunk diameter of 4 inches. Note: one must know the product being cut to estimate merchantable height.
MORTALITY. Death or destruction of forest trees as a result of competition, disease, insect damage, drought, wind, fire, and other factors.
MULTIPLE USE. Using and managing a forested area to provide more than one benefit simultaneously. Common uses may include, wildlife, timber, recreation, and water.
NATURAL REGENERATION. Regenerating a stand of trees using seed from trees either on-site or nearby, or sprout growth for some species of hardwoods.
NIPF. See Nonindustrial Private Forestland.
NONINDUSTRIAL PRIVATE FORESTLAND (NIPF). Forest land owned by a private individual, group, or corporation not involved in wood processing.
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION. Pollution arising from all ill-defined and diffuse source, such as runoff from cultivated fields, grazing land, or urban areas.
NOXIOUS WEED. A plant defined by law as being especially undesirable, troublesome, and difficult to control.
OLD GROWTH FOREST. A forest dominated by long lived species that has escaped catastrophic disturbance for at least 120 years. It usually has large old dying trees, large snags and down logs.
OVERMATURE FOREST. A forest in which, as the result of age, growth has almost entirely ceased, and decay and deterioration has accelerated.
OVERSTOCKED. The situation in which trees are so closely spaced that they are competing for resources, resulting in less than full-growth potential for individual trees.
OVERSTORY. The canopy in a stand of trees. In contrast to the understory which is low growing woody or herbaceous vegetation forming a layer beneath the overstory.
PEELER. A log from which veneer stock will be cut.
PERSISTENCE TIME. The time required for a pesticide to become inert. Arbitrarily assumed to equal four half-lives when measured persistence time is not available.
PESTICIDES. Chemical compounds or biological agents used for the control of undesirable plants, animals, insects or diseases.
PLANTATION. An artificially reforested area established by planting or direct seeding. Contrast with a natural forest stand which is established naturally.
POINT SOURCE POLLUTION. Pollution arising from a well-defined origin, such as a discharge from an industrial plant.
POLE. A young tree 4 inches or more in diameter breast high. The maximum size of poles is usually though not invariably taken to be some diameter breast high between 8 and 12 inches.
PRESCRIBED BURNING. Skillful application of fire to natural fuels that will allow confinement of the fire to a predetermined area and at the same time will produce certain planned benefits.
PRUNING. The removal of live or dead branches from standing trees. With forest trees, pruning is generally done along the trunk to remove the side branches (which cause knots in the wood) to produce a higher quality wood (knot-free).
PULPWOOD. Wood cut or prepared primarily for manufacture into wood pulp, for subsequent manufacture into paper, fiber board, or other products, depending largely on the species cut and the pulping process. Generally trees 5" to 9" DBH.
REFORESTATION. The natural or artificial restocking of an area with forest trees; most commonly used in reference to the latter.
REGENERATION. The act of replacing a forest stand that has been harvested, either naturally or artificially.
REGENERATION CUT. A timber harvest designed to promote and enhance natural establishment of trees. Even-aged stands are perpetuated by seed tree, shelterwood, and clearcuts. Uneven-aged stands are perpetuated by selection of individual or small groups of trees.
RELEASE. To free trees from competition by cutting or otherwise removing or killing nearby vegetation and branches. Usually applied to young stands.
RESIDUAL STAND. Trees remaining uncut following any cutting operation.
RMZ. Riparian Management Zone. See Streamside Management Zone.
ROOT COLLAR. The stem of a seedling at the ground line at the time of removal from the nursery.
ROT. A defect characterized by decay of wood in a standing tree or log.
ROTATION. The planned time interval between regeneration cuts in a forest stand.
b. That portion of precipitation or irrigation water that flows off a field and enters surface stream or water bodies. The water that flows off the surface of the land without sinking into the soil is called surface runoff.
SALVAGE CUT. A harvest made to remove trees killed or damaged by fire, insects, fungi, or other harmful agents, to utilize available wood fiber before further deterioration occurs.
SANITATION CUT. A cutting made to remove trees killed or injured by fire, insects, fungi, or other harmful agencies (and sometimes trees susceptible to such injuries), for the purpose of preventing the spread of insects or disease.
SAPLING. A tree at least 4.5 feet tall and up to 4 inches diameter.
SAWLOG. A log large enough to produce lumber or other products that can be sawed. Its size and quality vary with the utilization practices of the region.
SAWTIMBER. Trees that yield logs suitable in size and quality for the production of lumber.
SCALING. Process of measuring wood products, usually pulpwood and sawlogs, after the trees are felled.
SEALED BID SALE. Sale of timber where several timber buyers are invited to submit a secret bid stating what each would pay for the timber offered.
SECOND GROWTH. Forests that originate naturally after removal of a previous stand as by cutting, fire, or other cause. A loosely used term for young stands.
SEDIMENT. Solid material that is in suspension, is being transported, or has been moved from its original location by air, water, gravity, or ice.
SEED TREE. Any tree which bears seed; specifically, a tree left to provide the seed for natural reproduction. Syn. Mother tree.
SELECTION CUT. A regeneration cut designed to create and perpetuate an uneven-aged stand. Trees may be removed singly or in small groups. A well designed selection cut removes trees of lesser quality and trees in all diameter classes along with merchantable and mature high quality sawlog trees.
SELECTIVE HERBICIDE. An herbicide which is effective only against certain species and is able to control unwanted plants without serious injury to desirable species.
SHADE TOLERANCE. Relative ability of a tree species to reproduce and grow under shade. Tree species are usually classified in descending order of shade tolerance as: very tolerant, tolerant, intermediate, intolerant, and very intolerant.
SHELTERWOOD HARVEST CUTTING. A harvest cutting in which trees on the harvest area are removed in a series of two or more cuttings to allow the establishment and early growth of new seedlings under partial shade and protection of older trees. Produces an even-aged forest.
SILVICULTURE. The art of producing and tending a forest; the application of the knowledge of silvics in the treatment of a forest; the theory and practice of controlling forest establishment, composition, and growth.
SINKHOLE. A depression in the landscape where limestone has been dissolved.
SITE. An area evaluated as to its capacity to produce a particular forest or other vegetation based on the combination of biological, climatic and soil factors present.
SITE INDEX. An expression of forest site quality based on the expected height of dominant trees at a specified age (usually 50 years in the eastern United States).
SITE PREPARATION. Treatment of a site with mechanical clearing, burning, or herbicides, to prepare a site for planting.
SKIDDING. The act of moving trees from the site of felling to a loading area or landing. Skidding may be accomplished by tractors, horses, or specialized logging equipment. The method of skidding can greatly affect the impact of logging on soil and the residual stand.
SLASH. Debris left after logging, pruning, thinning, or brush cutting; also, large accumulation of debris after wind or fire. It includes logs, chunks, bark, branches, stumps and broken understory trees or brush.
SLOPE. A term of measurement in percent and means the increase in height over the distance measure. An increase of 1 foot over a distance of 5 feet is expressed as a 20 percent slope.
SMZ. See Streamside Management Zone.
SNAG. A standing dead tree used by many species of birds and mammals for feeding and nesting.
SOFT MAST. Soft fleshy fruits eaten by wildlife (examples: persimmon, wild grapes, blackberries, blueberries, huckleberries, mulberries, plums, and crabapples).
SOFTWOOD. Generally, one of the botanical groups of trees that in most cases have needle or scale-like leaves; the conifers; also, the wood produced by such trees.
SOIL. The top layer of the earth's surface, composed of finely divided disintegrated rock containing more or less organic material, which is penetrated by the roots of plants. It includes the surface soil (horizon A), the subsoil (horizon B) and the upper portion of the substratum (horizon C) to the extent that it is penetrated by plant and tree roots. The average soil is composed of 45% mineral, 25% air, 25% water and 5% vegetation.
SPECIES COMPOSITION. The mix of tree species occurring together in the same stand.
SPROUT. A tree that grows from the stump or sucker root of a parent tree: it is not of seed origin. Basswood is frequently of sprout origin.
STAND. A group of trees occupying a given area and sufficiently uniform in species composition, age and condition so as to be distinguishable from the forest on adjoining areas. A forest stand is said to be "pure" if 80 percent or more of the trees present are of the same species. If less than 80 percent of all trees present are of the same species, the stand is said to be "mixed".
STAND DENSITY. The quantity of trees per unit area. Density usually is evaluated in terms of basal area or percent-crown cover. See basal area, crown cover, stocking.
STOCKING. An indication of the number of trees in a stand as compared to the desirable number for best growth and management, such as well-stocked, overstocked, partially stocked.
STREAMSIDE MANAGEMENT ZONE (SMZ). An area of natural timber or vegetation protected and maintained on each side of a stream or drainage to provide habitat diversity, wildlife travel corridors and protect water quality.
STUMPAGE. Uncut trees standing in the forest. Sometimes used to mean the commercial value of standing trees.
STUMPAGE PRICE. The price a logger is willing to pay for wood as it is in the woodland or "on the stump".
SUCCESSION. The progression of vegetation types after site disturbance which begins with herbaceous plants and ultimately reaches a mature forest. The gradual replacement of one plant community by another.
SUSTAINED YIELD. An ideal forest management objective at which point the volume of wood removed is equal to growth within the total forest.
SWEEP. Tree defect resulting from a gradual curve in the main stem of the tree.
TALLY. A system of recording trees counted during a timber cruise.
THINNING. Removal of trees in an overstocked stand to give the remaining trees adequate room for growth.
THREATENED SPECIES. Species that could become endangered in the foreseeable future.
TIMBER. Standing trees, usually of commercial size.
TIMBER INVENTORY. A collection of information about a timber stand made by measuring tree and stand characteristics such as tree volume and grade and stand density.
TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT (TSI). A practice in which the quality of a residual forest stand is improved by removing less desirable trees, vines and, occasionally, large shrubs to achieve the desired stocking of the best quality trees.
TOLERANCE. The capacity of a tree to develop and grow in the shade of and in competition with other trees. Trees able grow in full or partial shade are considered "tolerant". Trees requiring full sunlight for survival are considered "intolerant".
TREE CAVITIES. Hollow cavities in trees that provide resting or nesting places for wildlife.
TREE FARM. A privately owned forest (woodland) dedicated to the production of timber crops. Additionally, it may be recognized as a "Tree Farm" by the Tree Farm Program, an organization sponsored by the American Forest Industries.
TREE SHELTER. A plastic tube that can be wrapped around the stem of hardwood seedlings to increase survival and growth.
TSI. See Timber Stand Improvement.
UNDERPLANT. To set out young trees or sow seed under an existing stand.
UNDERSTOCKED. A stand of trees so widely spaced that, even with full growth potential realized, crown closure will not occur. Understocking indicates a waste of resources, as the site is not fully occupied.
UNDERSTORY. The lesser vegetation (shrubs, seedlings, saplings, small trees) within a forest stand which forms a layer between the overstory and the herbaceous plants of the forest floor.
UNEVEN-AGED STAND. A group of trees of a variety of ages and sizes growing together on a uniform site.
VENEER. Thin sheets of wood (usually less than 1/4" thick) produced by slicing or peeling a log.
VENEER LOG. A log of high quality and desirable species suitable for conversion to veneer. Logs must be large, straight, of minimum taper, and free from defects.
VOLUME. The amount of wood in a tree or stand according to some unit of measurement, (board feet, cubic feet, etc.) or some standard of use (pulpwood, sawtimber, etc.)
WATER BAR. A diversion ditch and/or hump across a trail or road tied into the uphill side for the purpose of carrying water runoff into the vegetation, duff, ditch, or dispersion area so that it does not gain the volume and velocity which causes soil movement and erosion.
WATERSHED. The surrounding land area that drains into a lake, river or river system.
WEED. An unwanted plant.
WELL STOCKED. The situation in which a forest stand contains trees spaced widely enough to prevent competition yet closely enough to utilize the entire site.
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