Molpus Woodlands | Forestry Glossary | Molpus Woodlands Group
General Forestry
Silviculture - The science of tending forest stands.
Forest Types - Association of tree species that occur commonly due to similar site requirements.
Canopy - The continuous cover formed by tree crowns in a forest.
Mature - In financial terms, the age at which a tree, or stand, reaches its highest or targeted value. Can also refer to non-financial and somewhat subjective criteria.
Even Aged - Management scheme in which all trees of the desired species are the same age.
Uneven Aged (Multiple aged) - Process through select cutting and natural regeneration which causes there to be multiple ages of desirable trees in an area.
Sustained Yield - A management concept in which the volume of timber removed equals growth of the forest.
Multiple Use - Actively managing the forest for more than one primary use.
Dominant - Trees that extend above surrounding individuals and capture sunlight from above and around the crown.
Co-Dominant - Trees that extend the crown into the canopy and receive direct sunlight from above only.
Suppressed - Trees that are completely overtopped and are characterized by low growth rate and low vigor.
Disturbance - A natural or human-induced environmental change that affects species and structural composition in a stand.
Succession - The natural process of replacement of one plant community by another over time.
Pioneer Species - The earliest species in the process of succession.
Climax - The fully mature plant community based on natural succession of a site.
Site Index - A measure of the quality of a site based on the height of dominant trees at a specified age (usually 25 or 50 years), depending on the species.
Prescribed Burn - A fire intentionally started for specific forest management practices.
Wildfire - An unintentional fire, whether started by accident or by arson.
Edge or Edge Effect - Boundary between two different vegetative communities, for example, a field and a wooded area. Of particular interest to wildlife enthusiasts.
Best Management Practices (BMP) - A voluntary set of standards applicable to forest practices intended to minimize site damage, protect water quality and maintain productivity of the forest.
Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) - An area adjacent to significant drains that is managed to protect or improve water quality.
GPS - Global Positioning Satellite.
GIS - Geographic Information System.
Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) -Practices that increases the value or rate of value growth in a given stand.
Non-Industrial Private Forestland (NIPF) - Forestland owned by private individual, group or corporation not involved in wood processing.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) - Branch of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) that coordinates and implements soil conservation practices on private lands.
Cooperative Extension Service (CES) - Links university research with the end users in the field.
Farm Services Agency (FSA) - Branch of the USDA that administers cost-sharing programs.
Measurements
Acre - A measure of area, 43,560 square feet.
Hectacre - A measure of area, used in many other countries, often found in trade journals. About 2.47 acres.
Diameter Breast Height (DBH) - Standard measure of a tree’s diameter about 4 ½ feet above the ground.
Cruise - A forest survey used to obtain inventory information and develop a management plan.
Log Rule (Log Scale) - A method for calculating wood volume in a tree or log by using its diameter and length. Doyle scale typically used locally.
Board Feet - A measure of volume in a tree, log or board. Based on sawn lumber dimensions, measures a board 1 foot by 1 foot by 1 inch, or some combination that yields 144 cubic inches. Typically referred to in units of one thousand board feet.
Conversion Rate - Number of tons per volume unit (board foot or cord).
Merchantable Height - The point on a tree stem to which the stem is salable. Can be limited by diameter or defect.
Chain - A measure of length, 66 feet.
Rod - A measure of length, 16 1/2 feet. Often used by the pipeline industry.
Diameter Tape - A tape measure used on the circumference of a tree but calibrated to directly give the diameter.
Cord - A unit of wood containing 128 cubic feet. (4 x 4 x 8 feet).
Basal Area - The cross-sectional area of the trunk 4 ½ feet above the ground. Typically expressed as a per acre measure of forest density.
Harvesting
Clear Cut - The harvest of all the trees in an area.
Thinning - A partial cut in an immature, overstocked stand of trees.
Shelterwood Cut - Process of removing all the merchantable trees over several cuts, with the goal of natural regeneration.
Seed-tree Cut - The harvest of all the trees in an area except for a few desirable individuals that provide seed for the next forest.
Windthrow - A tree felled by wind. A problem with shallow-rooted trees and in areas where cutting has reduced stand density.
Diameter Cut - Harvest of all trees over a certain diameter in an area.
Lump-sum Sale - The sale of timber in which the price is agreed upon before any trees are removed.
Unit Sale (or pay as cut) - The buyer makes regular payments based on mill receipts.
Sealed Bid Sale - A timber sale, usually offered through a consulting forester, in which buyers submit sealed bids. Can be lump-sum or pay as cut.
Negotiated Sale - A timber sale in which the buyer and the seller negotiate an arm’s length stumpage price. Can be lump-sum or pay as cut.
Stumpage Price - The price paid for standing forest trees.
Source: Mississippi Forestry Association
Molpus Woodlands | Forestry Glossary | Molpus Woodlands Group
