Tree Dimension Index: In simple terms in a Tree Dimension Index
is when two or more tree measurements of a particular tree are
expressed as a percentage of the largest known example of the
same species. For example the height of a particular hemlock,
might be expressed as a percentage of the tallest known hemlock,
and the girth of that hemlock would be expressed as a percentage
of the fattest known hemlock (not necessarily the same tree as
the tallest example). The Tree Dimernsion Index, or TDI is the
sum of those two percentages. A third or even more additional
parameters can be added depending on what you are investigating.
Canopy Spread is one possible third parameter. If there is more
than two parameters used in teh index, say three then the value
would be a TDI3.
If you are interested in the tree dimension index, the thread
that led to its adoption is posted on the website at:
http://www.nativetreesociety.org/measure/dimension_rating_index.htm
An initial listing of some White pines using the formula is
Here:
http://www.nativetreesociety.org/measure/NewPts-1-24-2005.htm
A much more extensive listing of white pines appeared in the
most recent report from the Freinds of Mohawk Trail State Forest
annual report 2006
http://www.bluehost.com/cgi-bin/uftp/?domain=ftp@nativetreesociety.org&password=anon
cbh: Circumference breast height.
dbh: Diameter breast height.
Old Growth Forest: Old-growth forests are natural forests that
have developed over a long period of time without experiencing severe,
stand-replacing disturbance--a fire, windstorm, or logging.
Rucker Site Index: The "Rucker index," provides a
numerical evaluation of both maximum height and diversity of the
dominant species. The index is the average height of the tallest
examples of the ten tallest species found at each site.
Climax means that the forest is composed of species of trees
that are capable of reproduction without any disturbance other
than death of individual trees or small groups of trees, so that
a disturbance from outside the forests internal processes (such
as large scale wind or fire) is not necessary to maintain the
same species composition over time. Usually this involves shade
tolerant species like hemlock and sugar maple, which can
reproduce on the forest floor with major disturbance. Some
hemlock and sugar maple forests stay fairly constant in
composition for periods of 2,000-3,000 years, rarely for perhaps
4,000-5,000 years, and would be climax forests. (Lee Frelich,
March 13, 2010)
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