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Crown-Condition Classification Tutorial
(Revised January 2008)
To assess tree vigor and growth potential Early warning sign of tree health deterioration Crowns form the structural architecture of forests Crowns influence understory flora and fauna To assess individuals, ecosystems, states, regions
Why Crowns?
Crown Variables
Uncompacted Live Crown RatioCrown PositionCrown Light ExposureCrown DensityCrown DiebackFoliage TransparencySapling Vigor Class
Size Classes of Trees
Seedlings <1.0-inch DBH/DRC
Saplings 1 inch to 4.9 inches DBH/DRC
Trees 5 inches + DBH/DRC
Crown Variables Both Saplings and Trees
Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio Crown Position Crown Light Exposure
Trees Only Crown Density Crown Dieback Foliage Transparency
Saplings Only Crown Vigor Class
FIA Plot Configuration
Subplot-trees
Microplot-saplings
Macroplot-trees
Definitions Live branch
Woody lateral growth supporting foliage and larger than 1 inch at the base just above the swelling where it joins the main stem.
Definitions
TwigWoody lateral growth with secondary branching and less than 1 inch in diameter at the point of attachment to a branch or crown stem.
Definitions
SprigWoody or non-woody lateral growth without secondary branching and less than 1 inch.
Definitions
Snag branchDead upper crown branches without fine twigs.
Definitions
Epicormic branchesWoody or non-woody lateral growths, usually on the bole or crown stem and initiated by sudden exposure or loss of crown stem.
Definitions
Crown Outline
Exclude abnormally long branches
Outline
Definitions
Crown Top
Crown Top
Definitions
Obvious Live Crown
Obvious Live Crown Base Crown
Base
Obvious Live Crown
Crown Base
Definitions
Live Crown Base, Saplings
> 5 feet
Definitions
5-ft Rule
Point 1
Point 2
Point 1
Point 2
Definitions
5-ft Rule
< 5 ft
Quality Crown Measurements Require… A calibrated eye A positive attitude Good weather and daylight 2 certified crown raters working as a crew
Viewing the Crown
Get Two Separate Views Of Every Crown!
Viewing the Crown
½ to 1 tree length away
View from grade level or upslope
90o
Separate the subject from other trees
Rate the whole crown, not just the easiest part to see
Viewing the Crown
Viewing the Crown
DON’T stand under the tree to make your ratings.
DON’T stand at 180o from your partner.
Field Aid
Useful for…
Live Crown Ratio
Crown Density
Foliage Transparency
Both Saplings and Trees Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio Crown Position Crown Light Exposure
Trees Only Crown Density Crown Dieback Foliage Transparency
Saplings Only Crown Vigor Class
Crown Variables
Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio
X
Y
ULCR = X/Y(100)
X
Y
Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio
Determine the LIVE TOP of the tree (dieback & dead branches excluded)
Establish the OBVIOUS LIVE CROWN BASE
Determine the ACTUAL LENGTH of the tree (same as defined in the Phase 2 field guide)
Express the length of the Obvious Live Crown as a PERCENTAGE of the Actual Length
Agree on best answer with your partner or average and record to the nearest percent
Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio
For trees:
The Obvious Live Crown includes foliage and branches down to the lowest foliage of the lowest 1-inch branch.
Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio
<5 feet; include
>1 inch >5 feet; exclude
New Live
Crown Base
For trees:
The 5-foot, 1-inch rule
Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio
>5 feet, >1 inch
ULCR = 50 - 75%?
?
?
?
?
Include leafed twigs
50%
75%
Exclude sprigs
35%
For saplings:
The Obvious Live Crown includes twigs, but not sprigs.
Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio
XYX/Y(100)
Obvious Live Crown (X) excludes dieback.
Actual Length (Y) includes dieback.
Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio
Epicormic branches:
If tree or sapling crown contains only epicormics, ULCR = 00
Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio
Crown Position
The relative position of each tree in relation to the main overstory canopy
Four Codes:• Superstory• Overstory• Understory• Open Grown
Overstory Canopy Zone
Average Live Crown
Lengths of
overstory trees
Crown Position
2
2 2
2 2
3
3
1
midpoint
Crown Position
Open Canopy:
All saplings and trees coded 44
4
4
4
Crown Position
All coded 4
<50% crown cover, > 1 acre in size
Scattered
Clumped
Crown Position
2 Conditions (> 1 acre in size)
>50% crown cover 1=Superstory (Never for saplings) 2=Overstory 3=Understory
<50% crown cover 4=Open grown (all saplings/trees)
Crown Light Exposure
The number of sides of a crown (including the top) that receive sunlight when the sun is directly overhead.
Crown Light Exposure
Crown Light Exposure
In this case, the code for exposure would be 2
Crown Light Exposure
ULCR = 25%
Code as 1
Crown Light Exposure
5403 1 2
Both Saplings and Trees Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio Crown Position Crown Light Exposure
Trees Only Crown Density Crown Dieback Foliage Transparency
Saplings Only Crown Vigor Class
Crown Variables
Codes for 5-percent Classes
Crown density, crown dieback and foliage transparency…
00 No Crown 05 1-5% 10 6-10% 15 11-15% … … 99 96-100%
Crown Density
The amount of crown branches, foliage, and reproductive structures that block light visibility through the crown
Crown Density
Crown Density
Crown Density
plywood
Density: 100%
Crown Density
Density: 50%
Crown Density
Density: 50%
Crown Density
Density: 25%
Crown Density
Density: 25%
Crown Density
Density: 55%
Crown Density
Density: 35%
Crown Density
Dead, no density estimate necessary!
Density: 20%
If there was some green, then….
Crown Density
Oval shapeDensity 65%
Crown Density
Conical shape
Density 80%
Crown Density
Fan-shaped crown
Density 75%
Crown Dieback
Recent mortality of branches with fine twigs
Begins at the terminal portion of a branch and proceeds downward and inward towards the crown stem
Only considered when in the upper and outer portions of the crown
Crown Dieback
Crown Dieback
•Must be recent•Fine twigs attached
Crown Dieback
Dieback?
Exclude coarse, stubby dead branches
Crown Dieback
Crown Dieback
Dieback: 15%
Crown Dieback
Dieback: 25%
Crown Dieback
Dieback: 75%
Foliage Transparency
The amount of skylight visible through the live, normally foliated portion of the crown
Foliage Transparency
Transparency Outline
Defoliation
Foliage Transparency
Transparency 20%
Foliage Transparency
Transparency 25%
Foliage Transparency
Transparency 5%
Foliage Transparency
Transparency 10%
Foliage Transparency
Transparency 20%
Foliage Transparency
Transparency 50%
Foliage Transparency
Transparency 15%
Ignore dieback
Foliage Transparency
Ignore Dieback
Include Defoliation
Complete defoliation =99 (not 0!)
•Transparency 70%
Crown Outline for Density
Include dead branches, dieback and/or missing top
Include gaps
for symmetry
Crown Outline for DiebackInclude live foliage and recent dieback
Crown Outline for TransparencyInclude live foliage only
Crown Outline for TransparencyIf large gaps, average transparency across foliated segments
Both Saplings and Trees Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio Crown Position Crown Light Exposure
Trees Only Crown Density Crown Dieback Foliage Transparency
Saplings Only Crown Vigor Class
Crown Variables
3 Crown Vigor Classes: Vigor Class 1 – High Vigor Class 2 – Moderate Vigor Class 3 – Low
Sapling Vigor Class
Rating Factors: Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio Dieback Percent Normal Foliage
Normal foliage Individual leaf has > 50% of the surface area present and free of damage
Sapling Vigor Class
Sapling Vigor Class
Abnormal foliage Individual leaf has < 50% of the surface area present and free of
damage.
Sapling Vigor Class
Abnormal foliage Dead leaves count as abnormal foliage Recent dieback counts as abnormal foliage
Sapling Vigor Class
50% Normal foliage
Sapling Vigor Class
95% Normal foliage
Sapling Vigor Class
Vigor Class 1 > 80% normal foliage ULCR > 35% < 5% dieback
Vigor Class 2 > 20% normal foliage (can have any ULCR; may or may not have
dieback)
Vigor Class 3 < 20% normal foliage (can have any ULCR; may or may not have
dieback)
Sapling Vigor Class 1
ULCR > 35%
< 5% dieback
>80% normal foliage
50% ULCR
35% ULCR
Dieback < 5%
Sapling Vigor Class 3
< 20% normal foliage
Dieback = abnormal foliage
Sapling Vigor Class 2
> 20% normal foliage
Dieback
Normal Foliage: 100% ULCR: 40%
Dieback: 0
Vigor Class: 1
Sapling Vigor Class
Normal Foliage: 30% ULCR: 70%
Dieback: 50%
Vigor Class: 2
Sapling Vigor Class
Sapling Vigor Class
Normal Foliage: 0% ULCR: 60%
Dieback: 5%
Vigor Class: 3
Special Situations
Special Situations
Leaning Trees• Live Crown Ratio
Special Situations
Leaning Trees• Crown Density
Special Situations
Leaning Trees• Crown Position• Crown Exposure
Special Situations
Forked Trees• Crown Density
Special Situations
Dead Top• Included in ULCR• Included in Density Outline
denominator of ULCRActual Length used in
Special Situations
Missing Top• NOT included ULCR• Included in Density Outline
Actual Length used in
denominator of ULCR
Coding for trees/saplings with only epicormics or sprigs:
ULCR = 00 Light Exposure = 0 Position = 3 (or 4) Density = 00 Dieback = 99 Transparency = 99
Special Situations
Special Situations
Species with delayed development of 1-inch branches:
•These small branches are
part of the obvious live
crown (i.e., not epicormics)
•5-ft. rule may be applied
Crown Variable Tolerance MQO
Uncompacted Live Crown Ratio Crown Density Crown Dieback Foliage Transparency
+- 10% 90%
Crown Light Exposure +-1 if >0 85%
Crown Position 0 85%
Sapling Crown Vigor 0 90%
Measurement Quality Objectives (MQO’s)
Crown Indicator Homepage
Crowns Home
Methods
DataAnalysisData QualityTraining MaterialsPublicationsAdditional LinksContacts
http://srsfia2.fs.fed.us/crowns/index.shtml