Tree inventory
Encyclopedia
A tree inventory is the gathering of accurate information on the health and diversity of a community forest
.
which seek to assess timber attributes on forest stands.
Information such as how many street trees there are, what their species is, and their condition is gathered. A community forest cannot be effectively managed unless its condition is known. A tree inventory may be conducted for many reasons, such as to determine if a community needs to implement a urban forestry
program, in order to prioritize tree maintenance needs, to plan for the community's future, and to provide a basis for the implementation of a management plan. A tree inventory should provide tree species, preferably in binomial nomenclature
(Latin names), size, such as DBH
(diameter at breast height) and tree height, crown width, overall condition such as health and maintenance needs, overcrowding, possible problems, presence or absence of insects or diseases. Characteristics of the site should also be listed such as soil type and condition, root space, and safety.
or Dutch elm disease
. A partial inventory uses sampling
where only a subset of the trees in the community are observed to draw inferences on the whole forest. A complete inventory collects data from all trees in the population, and a cover type survey is a survey where some of the information gathered is usually done through aerial photography
and GIS systems. This type of survey is being increasingly used in urban areas.
These inventories are generally conducted by student groups and volunteers, or contracted to urban forestry consultants, or by municipal urban foresters using either handwritten methods, software, templates, or PDAs.
Community forestry
Community forestry is an evolving branch of forestry whereby the local community plays a significant role in forest management and land use decision making. It involves the participation and collaboration of various stakeholders including community, government and non-government organisations...
.
Uses
Tree inventories focus on the attributes of individual trees, as compared to a Forest inventoryForest inventory
Forest inventory is the systematic collection of data and forest information for assessment or analysis. It is also commonly known as timber cruising. It is important for owners to cruise the timber to get an estimate of the value and possible uses of the timber...
which seek to assess timber attributes on forest stands.
Information such as how many street trees there are, what their species is, and their condition is gathered. A community forest cannot be effectively managed unless its condition is known. A tree inventory may be conducted for many reasons, such as to determine if a community needs to implement a urban forestry
Urban forestry
Urban forestry is the careful care and management of urban forests, i.e., tree populations in urban settings for the purpose of improving the urban environment. Urban forestry advocates the role of trees as a critical part of the urban infrastructure...
program, in order to prioritize tree maintenance needs, to plan for the community's future, and to provide a basis for the implementation of a management plan. A tree inventory should provide tree species, preferably in binomial nomenclature
Binomial nomenclature
Binomial nomenclature is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammatical forms, although they can be based on words from other languages...
(Latin names), size, such as DBH
Diameter at breast height
Diameter at breast height, or DBH, is a standard method of expressing the diameter of the trunk or bole of a standing tree. DBH is one of the most common dendrometric measurements....
(diameter at breast height) and tree height, crown width, overall condition such as health and maintenance needs, overcrowding, possible problems, presence or absence of insects or diseases. Characteristics of the site should also be listed such as soil type and condition, root space, and safety.
Types
There are four main types of tree inventory. They are specific problem inventory, partial inventory, complete inventory, and cover type inventory. A specific problem inventory gathers data on one particular problem such as looking at the effects of Hemlock Woolly AdelgidHemlock Woolly Adelgid
Hemlock woolly adelgid , commonly abbreviated as HWA, is a true bug native to East Asia that feeds by sucking sap from hemlock trees . In eastern North America, it is a destructive pest that poses a major threat to the eastern hemlock and the Carolina hemlock...
or Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease is a disease caused by a member of the sac fungi category, affecting elm trees which is spread by the elm bark beetle. Although believed to be originally native to Asia, the disease has been accidentally introduced into America and Europe, where it has devastated native...
. A partial inventory uses sampling
Sampling (statistics)
In statistics and survey methodology, sampling is concerned with the selection of a subset of individuals from within a population to estimate characteristics of the whole population....
where only a subset of the trees in the community are observed to draw inferences on the whole forest. A complete inventory collects data from all trees in the population, and a cover type survey is a survey where some of the information gathered is usually done through aerial photography
Aerial photography
Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground from an elevated position. The term usually refers to images in which the camera is not supported by a ground-based structure. Cameras may be hand held or mounted, and photographs may be taken by a photographer, triggered remotely or...
and GIS systems. This type of survey is being increasingly used in urban areas.
These inventories are generally conducted by student groups and volunteers, or contracted to urban forestry consultants, or by municipal urban foresters using either handwritten methods, software, templates, or PDAs.