[Scott G]

George,
I’ll throw out my two cents as a western forester and let Carl handle it for your region. First, in order to get mean stand diameter you really need to do a proper cruise that is guided by whichever sampling method you use. Carl will tell you what he likes and probably is preferred for your region. Out here we run both variable & fixed plots.

BA (Basal Area) is based on the surface measurement of wood as measured on the stump as if it was cut off at 4.5′ (breast height) Over simplified, but the easiest way to explain it. Therefore, if you have a BA of 70 that would be the equivalent of 70 sqft of wood as measured on the stump surface area at 4.5′

It would definitely be beneficial for you, if you want to intensively manage your own woodlot, to invest either in an angle gauge or a set of prisms. The “thumb” method works, very roughly, but bcan be a bit onerous if your stand density is very high as you end up counting way too many trees. The typical angle gauge has BAFs (Basal Area Factor) of 5, 10, 20, & 40. Prisms 5 – 40 in increments of 5. Use the higher BAF when you are in very thick dog-hair stands and/or dealing with larger timber. My suggestion would be an angle gauge as they are somewhere around $10. Whichever device you are using it is important to maintain your line of site and device parallel to the ground for an accurate measurement. Since you are measuring surface area at breast height (4.5′) that is what you need to aim for when you are measuring. Now that I’ve personally met you though, and knowing how much you are into the “perfect tool for the job”, you just might want a set of prisms to play with…:rolleyes:

[Scott G]

Simon, you have one of the nicest horse logging sites out there…

Mine, extremely basic, is listed below on the signature as well

http://www.timberhorseforestry.com

[Scott G]

As you move on in your logging career you’ll become more “in-tune”, and somewhat non-negotiable, on what your saw, bar, & chain combo are. Longer bars are common out here among professional saw users, not necessarily as a function of larger wood, but ergonmics. We do a lot of slashing and limbing due to working pretty much exclusively in conifer forests. Also, our slash depth guidelines are very low 18 -24″ max. In other words, there is a lot of saw work. I use a 28″ bar which enables me to stay upright all day. With a very bad back, I’m more than happy to carry a very small amount of extra weight to avoid being hunched over all day. Using the bench method of delimbing wouldn’t normally fly out here as we are all operating with a “strip layout” starting at the back of a unit and working out to the front with everything linear and parallel to one another. Having a layout other than that is normally cause for much cursing and nashing of teeth. We don’t usually cut on an individual tree mark basis. We treat the entire unit, efffectively reducing the basal area (density) over the entire cutblock to achieve our mgmnt objectives. Hence the difference in the felling layout.

The best all-around saw for my purposes is the Husky 372XP. That model has served me very well since it replaced the 371, over a decade ago. I just found out this week, though, that the 372 now comes exclusively with a stratified carb. Not happy… I’m waiting for someone to now explain to me what the REAL difference is between the 575 and the 372 now that the change has been made. My guess is that it is once again an effort by Husky to phase out the 372.

So,… I use a 372XP, 28″ Oregeon bar, with 92 drivelinks of Oregeon “L” series 3/8″ pitch, .050 gauge, full-comp,round-ground chisel. The 28″ bar calls for 93 drivers but I hate breaking at a cutter (I spin my own chain) so I back it off to 92 so that I can break at a tie strap.

Erica, I totally agree with Carl when it comes to purchasing a pro saw. If you get into this at a higher level you will be much happier. If not, the saw will last you forever provided you take good care of it. My vote for you would be for a Husky 357 with an 18-20″ bar.

My two cents..

[Scott G]

This thread is awesome. Especially for someone like me from an area where well fabricated scoots don’t, and possibly didn’t, exist. That is one of a myriad of reasons I enjoy going back to visit you folks – to see methods that aren’t, or recently haven’t been, used in my region.

On that note – Joe M. made an appeal in this past issue of Rural Heritage to have fabrication/method topics submitted for publication. Could one of you wriite up a short article, or at least a short abstract, with relevant photos. More than likely, he would forward some coin your way to compensate for your time. Yet another way that DAPnet can perpetuate the culture…

Joe checks in here from time to time. Maybe he’ll respond with some feedback…

[Scott G]

Andy, on a serious note, borrow a game camera from someone and set it up on the perimeter where the chickens won’t be setting the motion detector off constantly. From what you described, I still think a weasel is likely – although I really don’t have experience with mink as they do not exist out here. A coon more than likely would have tipped the trap over. Coons, at least our Rocky Mountain variety, have finesse but not that much. I use to be a pretty serious trapper when I was a kid and caught several weasels (ermine), when sign was present, with traps baited with a chunk of muskrat or beaver meat.

[Scott G]

Another stroke against capital punishment. Don’t throw the switch yet…

[Scott G]

…and don’t forget the chalk mark outline…absolutely essential. BTW, I’m still standing by my weasel…:p (did that sound right??)

[Scott G]

Weasels can be very active during the day as well, not strictly nocturnal. I have seen many weasels (ermine) during the daylight hours. Now that I think about it, that is the only time I’ve seen weasels – in the daylight – ’cause when’s its dark I can’t see them… :p Weasels are close cousins to wolverines, in other words, nasty critters. I’ve seen rabbits & blue grouse they have decapitated. Guess we’ll have to wait until the next episode…

[Scott G]

I’m lovin’ this episode of DAPnet CSI… 😎 I’ve been holding off but my vote is definitely weasel (ermine in winter). They have a tendency to initially kill like that and come back for seconds later…

[Scott G]

Didn’t Ed say he could make them?

[Scott G]

Thank you Bradley, for opening up your home place to us. Special place with a very special group of friends. Couldn’t have asked for a better weekend or venue!

[Scott G]

Sitting here in the Manchester airport waiting to catch the plane back home. It’ll be a little surreal this afternoon when I’m back at my place on the mountain ~2000 miles away. Sure enjoyed being back in New England to visit with you folks again. 🙂

[Scott G]

Sitting here in the bunkhouse after saying goodbyes and another video is already up as well. Posted by the consulting forester for the Farm School. Great time! http://vimeo.com/33488034

[Scott G]

Start planning for next year, Gordon… 😉 If you’re obnoxious enough around the house maybe your wife will be pushing you out the door to go to the next DAPnet event!

[Scott G]

@bradley 30823 wrote:

…maybe while we are in the woods we can make a pole for George’s scoot and the one we are building…

Another plus for horse logging. I never was able to carve a driveshaft for my 525 CAT skidder out of a sapling when broken down in the woods…;)

[Author]

Posts