Field procedures, demonstration sites and exam

Eight timber cruise demonstration sites have been established for training timber procurement customers and industry stakeholders (procurement foresters and producers) in the updated field procedures and cruise methods. These stands (four in the Upper Peninsula near Manistique and four in the northern Lower Peninsula near Waters) were cruised with both current cruise methods and new cruise methods to provide a real-world comparison. The sites are located in red pine, aspen/ aspen-oak, northern hardwood and jack pine forests.

These sites allow industry foresters the ability to cruise using their own method and then compare that information to the demonstration site cruise information compiled using the newer cruise method.

Maps and volume comparison data for any of these 8 sites can be found in the test site file. More information is available by contacting staff:

• Waters site - Lower Peninsula: Chad Fate, 231-886-8521
• Manistique site - Upper Peninsula: Adam Petrelius, 906-286-9721

The new procedures being used by field staff for both inventory purposes and timber sale cruises will improve accuracy and consistency. The old "mark and tally" cruise method has been replaced and only the new "mark and point sample" collecting method for measuring tree data is being used.

This exam is required to be a DNR Certified Marker and Cruiser. This is also one of the requirements for those who wish to bid on contract work for timber sale preparation.