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After Duke Forest staff double-checked our boundary, we received the green-light to go ahead with the important task of estimating the value of our stand – by counting each and every tree, estimating how many timber “boards” we could get out of each tree and then calculating total volume represented in the stand. This one-by-one tree count is known as a “100% cruise”. Other methods for estimating stand worth include various types of sampling. Although potentially time-consuming, the 100% cruise went by fast as a team once we got a handle on the process. One of us would measure the DBH, diameter breast height, and identify the tree type while another would use the clinometer to estimate tree height (A picture of our tools is attached). With that information, “boards” could be estimated. We counted and "painted" each tree with a DBH over 10 inches.

One of the nice aspects of planning a cut for the Duke Forest was the latitude we are extended to make the decision to exclude certain trees from the cut that appear to be particularly good habitat trees (dead or otherwise) – or that we deemed particular enough to keep. This portion of the project also took three trips to the woods. Luckily the ticks aren't out yet!!