Forest Descriptions and 

Photographs of Forested Areas 

Along the Breaks of the Missouri 

River in Eastern Montana, USA

Theresa Jain, Molly Juillerat, Jonathan Sandquist, 

Brad Sauer, Robert Mitchell, Scott McAvoy, 

Justin Hanley, John David

United States

Department

of Agriculture

Forest Service

Rocky Mountain

Research Station

General Technical

Report RMRS-GTR-186

February 2007
The Authors

Theresa B. Jain is a research forester, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Moscow, ID.

Molly Juillerat is a natural resource specialist for the Bureau of Land Management, Klamath Falls 

Resource Area, Lakeview District, Klamath Falls, OR.

Jonathan Sandquist is a forestry technician, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Moscow, ID.

Brad Sauer was a fire management specialist and Fuels/Prescribed Fire program manager, currently is a ranch manager; Robert Mitchell is a soil scientist; Scott McAvoy, Justin Hanley, and 

John David are fuel management specialists, all at the USDI Bureau of Land Management, Montana 

Dakotas BLM Division of Fire and Aviation Management, Eastern Montana Fire Zone, Miles City 

and Billings Field Offices, Miles City, MT.

You may order additional copies of this publication by sending your 

mailing information in label form through one of the following media. 

Please specify the publication title and number.

Publishing Services

Telephone (970) 498-1392

FAX (970) 498-1122

E-mail rschneider@fs.fed.us

Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/rm

Mailing Address Publications Distribution

Rocky Mountain Research Station

240 West Prospect Road

Fort Collins, CO 80526

Abstract

This handbook presents information and photographs obtained from forest lands along the breaks 

of the Missouri River in eastern Montana. Forest characteristics summarized in tables with accompanying photographs can be used to provide quick estimates of species composition and densities 

within similar landscape features. These estimates may be useful to foresters, wildlife biologists, 

range ecologists, and fire and fuel specialists. The book is organized by six physiographic positions: 1) water­ways (ravines or gullies), 2) south aspects ≤ 25 percent slope angle, 3) south aspect 

> 25 percent slope angle, 4) north aspects ≤ 25 percent slope angle, 5) north aspects > 25 percent 

slope angle, and 6) ridges or benches. Within each physiographic position, sites containing three 

overstory densities are represented. Inventory data describes the forest floor, ground-level vegetation, 

tree density, average crown ratio, canopy base height, and other characteristics; two photographs 

(close and distant view) provide a visual image and accompany the quantitative descriptions. 

Jain, Theresa B.; Juillerat, Molly; Sandquist, Jonathan; Sauer, Brad; Mitchell, Robert; McAvoy, Scott; 

Hanley, Justin; and David, John. 2007. Forest descriptions and photographs of forested areas 

along the breaks of the Missouri River in eastern Montana, USA. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 

Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture,Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 

51 p. 
Contents

Page

Purpose ........................................................................1

Area Described............................................................. 1

Development of Handbook........................................... 3

Sampling Design..................................................... 3

Data Collection........................................................ 4

Using the Handbook..................................................... 4

Organization of the Handbook ................................ 4

Assessing Forest Structure Characteristics ............ 7

Factors to Consider................................................. 8

Advantages in Using the Handbook ........................... 10

Disadvantages............................................................ 10

Acknowledgments ...................................................... 10

Literature Cited........................................................... 10

Ravine or gully, low density ........................................ 12

Ravine or gully, moderate density .............................. 14

Ravine or gully, high density....................................... 16

South ≤ 25% slope, low density.................................. 18

South ≤ 25% slope, moderate density........................ 20

South ≤ 25% slope, moderate density........................ 22

South ≤ 25% slope, high density ................................ 24

South > 25% slope, low density ................................. 26

South > 25% slope, moderate density........................ 28

South > 25% slope, high density ................................ 30

North ≤ 25% slope, low density .................................. 32

North ≤ 25% slope, low density .................................. 34

North ≤ 25% slope, moderate density ........................ 36

North ≤ 25% slope, high density................................. 38

North > 25% slope, low density .................................. 40

North > 25% slope, moderate density ........................ 42

North > 25% slope, high density................................. 44

Ridge or bench, low density ....................................... 46

Ridge or bench, moderate density.............................. 48

Ridge or bench, high density...................................... 50

USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 

Purpose_ ____________________

	 This handbook will help local land managers (for example, foresters, wildlife biologists,

range ecologists, fire ecologists, or fuels specialists) describe forests that currently occur

(circa 2004) along the breaks of the Missouri

River in eastern Montana (figs. 1 and 2). The

information in this book describestrees, ground

level vegetation, and the soil surface that are

representedwithin three differenttree densities

(low, moderate, and high) on six physiographic

positions(table 1). The physiographic positions

are: 1) waterways (ravines or gullies), 2) south

aspects ≤ 25 percent slope angle, 3) south aspects > 25 percent slope angle, 4) north aspects 

≤ 25 percent slope angle, 5) north aspects > 25 

percent slope angle, and 6) ridges or benches.

	 The quantitative descriptions combined with

photographs provide a quick and inexpensive

method for appraising forest conditions across

forested and non-forested areas within eastern

Montana.Locallandmanagers canuse thisbook

as a quick way to estimate tree density, as well

asthe percent cover of ground-level vegetation,

mineral soil exposure, and litter. The degree

of accuracy and precision achieved when using

this handbook can vary greatly, depending on

the techniques used in developing estimates.

In most cases this book can be a useful tool

for evaluating forest characteristics in other

locales, especially if it is used to obtain coarse

estimates of forest characteristics across large

landscapes within similar physiographic and

geographic locations.

Area Described_ ______________

	 The data tables and photographs reflect

forested sites located along the Missouri

RiverBreaksin eastern Montana (fig. 1). These

forested areas are composed of warm-dry to

moist ponderosapine (Pinus ponderosa)forests.

The understories can consist of continuous or

patchy grass, pine needlemats, and dense understories (Fisher and Clayton 1983). The area is 

composed of public lands administered by the

U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land

Management, and the Montana State Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

There are also many large private ranches

inter­spersed throughout the region. The sitesin

this handbook reflect current conditions where

fire has been excluded for several decades (80

to 100 years). Livestock grazing, however, has

occurred throughout the past in this region.

Forest Descriptions and

Photographs of Forested Areas

Along the Breaks of the Missouri

River in Eastern Montana, USA

Theresa Jain, Molly Juillerat, Jonathan Sandquist,

Brad Sauer, Robert Mitchell, Scott McAvoy,

Justin Hanley, John David
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

Figure 1—Map of the study area along the breaks of the Missouri River in eastern 

Montana. The circle indicates the locale where the photographs and data were obtained 

for the handbook.

Figure 2—Photograph depicting the landscape of the study area.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 

Table 1—The minimum, median, maximum trees per acre, average basal area, and average percent 

cover for each tree density class within a physiographic position (N = 3 unless otherwise 

noted). Waterways are ravines or gullies.

Description

_ _ Average Average

Physiographic Trees per acre basal area canopy

position Density Minimum Median Maximum (ft2

/acre) cover (%)

Waterways Low 0 216 552 8 9

Moderate 669 864 956 43 32

High 525 1306 1704 84 54

South aspect

≤ 25% Low 0 30 120 13 6

Moderate (N = 4) 72 177 278 40 27

High 960 1630 2300 128 66

South aspect

> 25% Low 34 48 72 24 16

Moderate 72 140 464 48 31

High 744 1296 1488 112 67

North aspect

≤ 25% Low (N = 5) 0 168 288 9 9

Moderate 261 300 432 46 31

High 744 984 1248 91 60

North aspect

> 25% Low 768 840 1104 10 13

Moderate 548 864 1200 66 47

High 888 1632 1920 129 72

Ridge or bench Low 0 24 38 7 4

Moderate 192 336 816 6 12

High 336 712 840 89 57

Development of Handbook______

Sampling Design

	 We used a stratified random sampling design

with physiographic position (stratum1) and overstory tree density (stratum 2) (table 1). Several

locations (five to 10) within the study area

were randomly selected that contained the two

strata. Within each location, three two-person

crews randomly located a starting point and a

random direction and began walking along a

linear transect. As each crew crossed a physiographic position, they established a random

plot (50 feet from the transect, with direction 

dictated by location of a second hand on a

watch)that contained the lowest density oftrees

based upon canopy cover (table 1). After a low

density plot waslocated and data collected, the

crewcontinuedwalking along the transect until

they located a moderate density site, defined as
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

containing twice the density of the low density

plot, within a similar physiographic position.

Continuing on thistransect, a high density plot,

containing twice the density as the moderate

density plot, was established. This technique

continued until each crew had identified a

low, moderate, and high density sample within

a group of similar physiographic positions.

This was repeated three to five times for each

physiographic position and density combination

(table 1). To obtain the full range of overstory

densities, several random locations and transects were established. All plots were ranked

by density to ensure a full range of potential

densities for the given physiographic position

were sampled.

Data Collection

	 The ocular estimate of the soil surface (litter

and mineral soil exposure), and cover for low

(≤ 0.2 inch basal stem diameter or ≤ 1 foot tall) 

and medium (> 0.2 inch basal stem diameter

or > 1.0 foot tall) shrubs, forbs, and grass were

described using a 1/300th (6.8 foot radius) acre

circular plot. The numbers of stems within a

basalstemdiameter classwere used to calculate

biomass (Brown 1976) (table 2).

	 All trees ≤ 12.0 inches diameter at breast

height (dbh) were quantified using a 1/24th

(24 foot radius) acre circular plot. Trees exceeding 12.0 inches dbh were quantified using a

variable radius, proportionalto tree size, defined

by a 20 basal area factor prism. Tree canopy

base height and uncompacted crown ratio were

measured directly (table 2). A hard hat was used

to indicate plot center and scale, and a close and

distant view of the plot were photographed.

	 For each example shown, the data tables

illustrate individual plot summaries. Summarized data included trees per acre, dead trees

per acre, total cubic foot volume, merchantable

cubic foot volume, basal area, and canopy cover.

The tables also include the fire behavior fuel

model that the photograph and data represent.In

some cases, where dead trees were large enough

(> 4 in dbh and > 6 foot tall, Thomas and others

1979) to be considered wildlife snags, snags per

acre values were included in footnotes below

the data tables. The tree data were summarized

using the Fire and Fuels Extension of the Forest

Vegetation Simulator (FFE-FVS), eastern Montana variant (Crookston and Stage 1999; Dixon

2003; Reinhardt and Crookston 2003; Wykoff 

1986; Wykoff and others 1982) (table 2). Table 3 

describesthe values used in the fire behaviorfuel

models appearing in this handbook,sum­marized

using FFE-FVS (Reinhardt and Crookston

2003).

	 We also added vegetation fuel class (VFC)

as defined by the LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment (2005) (Table 4). The five VFC’s were 

within the ponderosa pine-northernGreatPlains

potential natural vegetation group. They are:

early-­development, mid-development closed

canopy, mid-development open canopy, latedevelopmentopencanopy, andlate-development

closedcanopy.Toillustratehowaparticularforest

structure may appear within the five vegetation

fuel classes, the photographs and canopy cover

were used by the lead author to post-classify

the photographs into different VFCs from the

ponderosa pine-northern Great Plains reference

condition models. This classification was then

validated through two other independent classifications and differences were reconciled. We

do not report the abundance of each VFC across

a landscape, butrather provide examples ofthese

different fuel classes at an individual site.

Using the Handbook___________

Organization of the Handbook

	 The book is organized into six sections,

based upon physiographic position.Within each
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

Table 2—The following information describes forest characteristics, how they were measured, and the plot 

size used when obtaining the measurements. Also included are the calculation and/or reference 

used to summarize data.

Characteristics Direct measurement Plot size 

Calculation used and/or 

literature reference 

Forest floor and surface

Litter, mineral soil 

exposure, grass, forbs, 

shrub (%) 

Ocular estimate of proportion 

of cover (± 5%) 

1/300th acre circular plot Proportion of 1/300th acre plot 

presented as percent 

Shrub biomass (tons/acre) Number of basal stems in two 

diameter and height classes 

(low = < 0.2 in or < 1.0 ft tall; 

med = > 0.2 in or > 1.0 ft tall)

1/300th acre circular plot Regression equation for 

estimating total above ground 

weight, based on number of basal 

stems for big sagebrush 

(Artemisia tridentata) and 

common juniper (Juniperus 

communis) (Brown 1976) 

Tree characteristics

Trees & snags < 12.0 inches 

diameter breast height (dbh) 

breast height=4.5 feet 

Tally by height (nearest foot), 

species, and diameter (± 0.1 

in)

1/24th acre circular plot Trees per acre = tree tally per 

plot multiplied by 24 

Trees & snags > 12.0 inches 

diameter breast height (dbh) 

breast height=4.5 feet 

Tally by height (nearest foot), 

species, and diameter (± 0.1 

in)

Sampling proportional to 

size using a 20 basal area 

factor prism 

Stand table factor multiplied by 

tree count per plot in a diameter 

class (Dilworth 1970, page 267) 

Forest Vegetation Simulator 

(FVS), eastern Montana variant 

(Dixon 2003) 

Total basal area (ft2

/acre) Tally by height (nearest foot), 

species, diameter (± 0.1 in) 

1/24th acre circular plot, 

and through sampling 

proportional to size 

Dilworth 1970, page 267, FVS, 

eastern Montana variant (Dixon 

2003)

Total volume (ft3 /acre) Tally by height (nearest foot), 

species, diameter (± 0.1 in) 

1/24th acre circular plot, 

and through sampling 

proportional to size 

FVS, eastern Montana variant 

(Dixon 2003; Wykoff 1986) 

Merchantable volume (ft3

/acre) 

Tally by height (nearest foot), 

species, diameter (± 0.1 in) 

1/24th acre circular plot, 

and through sampling 

proportional to size 

FVS, eastern Montana variant 

(Dixon 2003); merchantability 

standards: 1 foot stump height to 

a 2 inch top (Wykoff 1986) 

Tree crown characteristics

Canopy base height (ft) Height from surface to lowest 

live branch (± 1.0 ft) 

1/24th acre circular plot, 

and through sampling 

proportional to size 

Average canopy base height for 

all trees within a height class per 

plot

Uncompacted crown ratio 

(%)

Percent of tree with crown 

from lowest live branch to top 

of tree (± 1%) 

1/24th acre circular plot, 

and through sampling 

proportional to size 

Average crown ratio for trees 

within a height class per plot 

Total canopy cover (%) Uncompacted crown ratio and 

tree species 

1/24th acre circular plot, 

and through sampling 

proportional to size 

Estimates of total canopy cover 

accounting for crown overlap, 

FVS, eastern Montana variant 

(Crookston and Stage 1999, 

Dixon 2003)

Fuel model and vegetation fuel class 

Fuel model Photograph and data sheet Overall description of site Assigned a value based on 

Anderson (1982) 

Vegetation fuel class Photograph and data sheet Overall description of site 

and development stage 

Assigned a value based on 

LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment 

(2005)
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

Table 4—The Vegetation Fuel Class (VFC) descriptions used to assign a VFC letter (A, B, C, D, or E) to 

each of the sites (LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment 2005).

Class Name Description

A Early-development Community is dominated by herbaceous and wood species, including the 

graminoids, needle grasses (Stipa spp.), western wheatgrass (Agropyron

spp.), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) in moist areas. Various 

shrubs include skunkbush (Rhus spp.) and snowberry (Symphocarpus spp.). 

Ponderosa pine seedlings are scattered and found in small clumps. Number 

of years in this class is variable, depending on climatic patterns and fire 

disturbances. Canopy cover ranges from 0 to 100 percent.

B Mid-development, Multi-story stand of small and medium trees with saplings and seedlings 

 closed canopy coming in as clumps. Understory is sparse. Canopy cover ranges from 50 to 

100 percent.

C Mid-development, Generally single-story stands with a few pockets of regeneration. Shrubs 

 open canopy such as snowberry and skunkbush are present as well as grasses and forbs. 

Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scoparium) present in patches. Canopy 

cover ranges from 0 to 50 percent.

D Late-development, Single-story stands of large ponderosa pine with pockets of smaller size 

 open canopy classes. Snowberry, skunkbush, patches of Rocky Mountain juniper, and 

grasses are still present. Canopy cover ranges from 0 to 50 percent.

E Late-development, Multi-story stands of ponderosa pine containing large, medium, and small to 

 closed canopy seedling sized trees. Shrubs and grasses are sparse. This type generally 

exceeds 70 percent canopy cover.

Table 3—Values used in the fire behavior fuel models (Anderson 1982, Reinhardt and Crookston 2003). Surface to 

volume ratio is the amount of surface area for a given volume. Moisture of extinction is the moisture content 

above which a fuel cannot sustain a fire. Fuel classes are 1-hour (≤ 0.25 in), 10-hour (> 0.25 to ≤ 1.0 in), and 

100-hour (> 1.0 to ≤ 3.0 in).

Fuel

Fuel Surface to volume ratio (1 / 1 ft) Fuel loading (lbs/ft2) bed Moisture of

model Fuel model Dead Dead depth extinction

no. name 1 hour 10 hour 100 hour Live 1 hour 10 hour 100 hour Live (ft) (%)

 1 Short 

 grass 3500 109 30 1500 0.034 0 0 0 1 12

2 Timber 

 (grass &

 understory) 300 109 30 1500 0.092 0.046 0.023 0.023 1 15

9 Closed 

 ponderosa

 pine

 (litter) 2500 109 30 1500 0.134 0.019 0.007 0 0.2 0.25
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

of these positions, the forest description and

accompanyingphotographs are further arranged

by overstory density class (low, moderate, and

high) (table 1). Three to five examples of each

density class are provided with an associated

data sheet and two photographs (close and

distant view). The data table characterizes the

ground-level vegetation, litter, mineral soil

exposure, and overstory tree characteristics

(table 5). The photographs provide a visual 

illustration of the characteristics (fig. 3). Table 5 

and figure 3 describe in detail how to read and 

interpret the data table and photographs.

Assessing Forest Structure 

Characteristics

	 There are many different waysthis handbook

can be used to assess other locales having similarforest and physiographic characteristics and

communicate variation in forest structure. The

following section provides examplesillustrating

how this book could be used.

As a communication tool—The combination

of information that describes forest structure

characteristics complemented by a visual illustration ofthe information is one ofthemost powerful communication tools (Culbertson 1974;

Morton 1984; Wagner 1974). When developing

this handbook, we first collected information

using forest inventory techniques,followed by a

close and distant view of plot center (a hard hat

located at plot center can used to obtain the scale

of the photograph). This is the most accurate

and reliable method to ensure a photograph is

representing the associated descriptors(Wagner

1974).Using a photograph as an accompaniment

to the quantitative characteristics allowsthe user

to focus on the specific forest characteristicsin

the photograph that are being described. In addition, we added the VFCs to provide the user

with an example of what particular fuel classes

may look like as defined by the LANDFIRE

Rapid Assessment (2005).

As a calibration tool—Sometimes it is impractical to locate and measure inventory type

plotsto quantify foreststructure, yet an estimate

of forest structure is needed. Information from

this handbook can be used to calibrate estimates

of forest structure. The handbook provides

an estimate of density, size class, diameter,

and crown ratios of different forest conditions

within given physiographic positions.One could

compare the data in this handbook with data

from similarstands and use the photographs as

a visual verification. This allows one to obtain

an estimate of trees per acre, volume per acre,

and tree sizewithout installing a plot, obtaining

data, and summarizing the data to reflect per

acre estimates.

As a monitoring tool—Monitoring the effects

from different types of disturbances is often a

necessary component in resourcemanagement.

These disturbances may include, but are not

limited to, wildfires, prescribed fires, windstorms, harvesting, and livestock grazing. The

preferable technique is to characterize forest

structure prior to an event and then return to

the exact same location and characterize forest

structure afterthat event occurs.However,most

often the location of a future forest disturbance,

such as a wildfire, is unknown. It also may not

be economical or physically feasible to conduct

a forest examination. Because this handbook

describes sites where fire has been excluded, it

could be used for estimating subsequent changes

in foreststructure after a wildfire. For example,

if a high density plotillustrated in this handbook

was similar to a high density forest of interest,

except that half of the trees were killed by a

wildfire, an estimate oflive trees per acre could

be obtained by reducing the values illustrated

in this handbook by 50 percent.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

Factors to Consider

	 The value of information obtained by using

this handbook depends on the user’s objectives 

and how precision, bias, and accuracy in estimates are accounted for. Understanding these

data characteristicsincreasesthe likelihood that

information obtained using this handbook will

provide relevant characterizations of forested

landscapes. Precision, which variesin response

to sample size, describes the extent to which a

given set ofmeasurementsrepresentstheir average. Multiple samples of a tree characteristic

taken in a particular locale increase the likelihood that individual samples will be similar to

the average, compared to situations when fewer

samples are acquired. Bias describes how well

the average obtained through sampling reflects

the true value of a characteristic. For example,

if a tree is 30 feet tall and the average of 10 

measurements indicates the tree is 40 feet

tall, the estimate is biased. On the other hand,

if through sampling the tree is estimated to

be 30 feet tall, the estimate is unbiased. An 

extremely accurate measurement reflects the

combination of both precision and lack of bias.

Figure 3—A) The left photograph or close view shows the surface and reflects information presented 

on the upper half of table 5. B) The right photograph is a distant view showing the tree characteristics 

presented in the lower half of table 5.

Each set of photographs shows the site where data quantifying forest characteristics (table 5) were 

obtained. Similar photographs accompany each table in this handbook. A hard hat is placed on plot 

center in each photograph. For some photographs in which the hard hat is difficult to find, we placed an 

arrow to help locate it. The hard hat (11 X 12 inches, longer dimension front to back) can also serve as a 

scale. The photographs are from a north ≤ 25 percent slope and is a site with many trees (high density). 

The left photograph (close view) was taken to show the surface (table 5). Note the low and medium 

shrubs in the left photograph above are described in table 5. Common juniper was used to estimate low 

shrub biomass and big sagebrush was used to estimate medium shrub biomass (Brown 1976). The right 

photograph focuses on trees that are summarized in table 5. Please refer to table 2 for specifics on how 

forest characteristics were summarized.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

To ensure information obtained through the

use of this handbook is accurate, consider the

following suggestions.

1)Use the samephysiographicpositionswithin

a region similarto the one described in this

handbook.

	 2) Use the three overstory density classes

(low, moderate, and high) by referring to

table 1.

3) Use the same height classes used in this 

handbook when characterizing trees.

	 4) Take a sub-sample of data on a few plots

(use the same plot design as used in the

handbook) to ensure the site being characterized reflectsforest conditionssimilar

to those characterized in this handbook.

5) Estimate surface directly in the field, at least 

initially, as an aid towards validation of the

surface characteristics in this handbook.

Thisissuggestedbecause severalfactorscan

influence surface cover, such as livestock

grazing, annual precipitation, and other

Table 5—Example of a surface (A), trees (B), and plot summary (C) data table. The soil surface and 

ground-level vegetation (A1) were characterized by ocular estimates of percentage cover for 

1) litter (discernable dead needles, grass, and leaves), 2) mineral soil exposure, 3) exposed rock 

≥ 1 inch diameter, 4) live grass, 5) live forbs, 6) low shrubs (≤ 0.2 inch basal diameter or ≤ 1.0 feet 

tall) and 7) medium shrubs (> 0.2 inch diameter or > 1.0 feet tall). The depth of the litter (A2) was 

measured. Common juniper (Juniperus communis) (low shrubs) and big sagebrush (Artemisia 

tridentata) (medium shrubs) were used to provide an estimate of tons per acre for shrub biomass 

(A3).

Trees were summarized to provide two forms of information, tree characteristics by height class 

(B) and characteristics for the entire plot (C). Trees were separated into four height classes: 

≤ 6 feet, > 6 to ≤ 12 feet, > 12 to ≤ 23 feet, and > 23 feet (B1). Within each height class the following characteristics are provided: the trees per acre for each of two species, ponderosa pine (Pinus 

ponderosa-PP) and Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum-JU) (B2), the average height 

for trees that occur in each height class (B3), and the average canopy base height and average 

uncompacted crown ratio (B4).

Plot summaries reflect whole plot characteristics (C) and are not associated with individual tree 

height classes. These plot characteristics include total basal area, total canopy cover, total trees 

per acre, total dead trees per acre, total cubic volume, and merchantable cubic volume, fuel 

model, and vegetation fuel class. Snags (> 4 in dbh and > 6 foot tall, Thomas and others 1979) 

are footnoted below the tables. Tables 2, 3 and 4 describes data definitions, how the data was 

measured, and how the data was summarized.

Surface (A) Shrub biomass (tons/acre) (A3)

Low shrubs 0.014

Substrate Litter 

Mineral 

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.016

Percentage cover (A1) 80 2 0 3 2 4 23 Plot summaries (C) 

Depth (cm) (A2) 20 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 131

Trees (B) Total canopy cover (%) 74

Height class of Trees/acre (B2) Average height (ft.) (B3) Canopy (B4) Total trees per acre 984

trees (ft.) (B1) PP JU PP JU Base height(ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1

 48

 6 264 0 4 - 1.3 72 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1548

> 6  12 216 0 9 - 3.0 69 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 240 0 18 - 5.8 64 Fuel model 9

> 23 264 0 34 - 9.5 75 Vegetation fuel class B 1

 24 snags per acre 
10 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

weather variables, which may be unique for

anygivenyear.Ifthemeasurementstakenin

the field do not match the handbook, it may

bemore appropriate toactuallyestimate surface cover. This decision depends upon the

objective and the use of the assessment.

	 6) Obtain as many observations as possible,

since this will increase precision. This can

be importantwhenevaluating standdensity,

which often varies considerably. However,

since time, affordability, travel distance,

or a combination of these can be limiting

factors, a minimum of three observations

may suffice for any given physiographic

and density combination.

	 7) There may be times when three stories are

present in the stand being evaluated, yet a

fourth story is described in the handbook.

In this case, we suggest that the missing

story be removed from the quantitative

measurementsdocumentedinthehandbook

in order to improve the field estimate.

Advantages in Using the

Handbook____________________

	 For a variety of reasons, the time needed

to quantify forest characteristics using strict

quantitative methods is sometimes impractical.

This handbook was developed and isintended to

provide a quick estimate offorest characteristics

based on landscape features, which could be

used to characterize wildlife and range habitat,

identifyforestproducts,fuels,andotherresources

associated with forested lands. This handbook

is not intended to quantify exact measurements

in other locales or replace forest inventories.

Disadvantages________________

Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) was an incidental species and may be

present or absent in some locations. Therefore,

for some applications, the estimates for sites

containing this species may not be as accurate

as the estimates for sites that only contained

ponderosa pine.

Acknowledgments_____________

	 This publication is a result of a cooperative

effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,RockyMountainResearch

Station and the U.S. Department of Interior,

Bureau of Land Management in Montana and

Oregon. We would like to thank Gail Fullerton,

Dan Frigard, Don Shipton, Jerome Funchess,

and Jim Hedgecock, who all worked very

hard collecting the data, taking photographs,

and preparing tables. Funding was provided

through the JointFireSciencesProgram,Rocky

MountainResearchStation, andBureau ofLand

Management, Montana.

Literature Cited_______________

Anderson, Hal. E. 1982. Aidsto determining fuel models

for estimating fire behavior. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-122.

Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Forest

Service: Intermountain Research Station. 22 p.

Brown, James K. 1976. Estimating shrub biomass from

basal stem diameters. Canadian Journal of Forest

Research. 6 (1): 153-158.

Crookston, Nicholas L.; Stage, Albert R. 1999. Percent

canopycoverandstandstructurestatisticsfromtheForest

VegetationSimulator.Gen.Tech.Rep.RMRS-GTR-24.

Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest

Service: Rocky Mountain Research Station. 11 p.

Culbertson, Hugh M. 1974. Words versus pictures: perceived impact and connotative meaning. Journalism

Quarterly. 51: 226-237.

Dilworth, J. R. 1970. Log scaling and timber cruising.

Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University. 466 p.

Dixon, Gary E. comp. 2003. Essential FVS: a user’s guide 

to the Forest Vegetation Simulator. Internal Rep. Fort

Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest

Service, Forest Management Service Center. 193 p.

Fischer, William C.; Clayton, Bruce D. 1983. Fire ecology 

of Montana habitat types east of the Continental Divide.

Gen.Tech.Rep.INT-141.Ogden,UT:U.S.Department

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest

and Range Experiment Station. 83 p.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 11

LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment. 2005. Potential 

Natural Vegetation Group R0PIPOnp—Ponderosa

pine-­northern Great Plains: description, [Online].

In: Rapid assessment reference condition models. In:

LANDFIRE. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of

Agriculture,ForestService,RockyMountainResearch

Station, Fire Sciences Lab; U.S. Geological Survey;

The Nature Conservancy (Producers). Available:

http://www.landfire.gov/ModelsPage2.html. [2006,

February 9].

Morton, Linda P. 1984. Use of photos in public relations.

Public Relations Review. 10 (4): 16-22.

Reinhardt, Elizabeth; Crookston, Nicholas L. Technical editors. 2003. The Fire and Fuels Extension to 

the Forest Vegetation Simulator. Gen. Tech. Rep.

RMRS-GTR-116. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 209 p.

Thomas, Jack Ward; Anderson, Ralph G.; Maser, Chris;

Bull, Evelyn L. 1979. Snags. In: Thomas, Jack Ward,

technical editor. Wildlife habitats in managed forests:

the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington. Agricultural Handbook 553, Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 60-77.

Wagner, Jon. 1979. Images of information: still photography in the social sciences. London: SAGE Publications. 311 p.

Wykoff, William R.; Crookston, N. L.; Stage, A. R.

1982. User’s guide to the Stand Prognosis Model. Gen. 

Tech. Rep. INT-133. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and

Range Experiment Station. 112 p.

Wykoff, William R. 1986. Supplement to the User’s 

Guide for the Stand Prognosis Model version 5.0. Gen. 

Tech. Rep. INT-208. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research

Station. 36 p.
12 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

Ravine or gully, low density

Site 1 close Site 1 distant

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 13

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1 

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.014

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 5 20 0 40 40 9 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 0

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 0

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 0

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 Total volume (ft3

/acre) 0

> 6  12 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 Fuel model 1

> 23 Vegetation fuel classes A

Site 2 

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.010

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 60 25 2 10 1 3 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 2 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 16

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 18

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 216

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 48 0 3 - 1.0 6 Total volume (ft3/acre) 182

> 6  12 72 0 11 - 2.0 70 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 55

> 12  23 48 0 16 - 4.5 60 Fuel model 2

> 23 48 0 29 - 6.0 70 Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 3 

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.070

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.115

Percentage cover 10 90 0 40 10 25 8 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 2 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 7

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 10

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 552

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 96

 6 360 72 3 4 0.3 93 Total volume (ft3/acre) 76

> 6  12 48 0 9 - 0.0 90 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 24 24 23 21 2.5 85 Fuel model 2

> 23 24 0 25 - 6.0 80 Vegetation fuel classes C

No trees 
14 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

Ravine or gully, moderate density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 15

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.115

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 50 10 1 35 3 25 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 10 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 41

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 27

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 669

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 48

 6 504 0 2 - 1.1 64 Total volume (ft3/acre) 706

> 6  12 72 0 9 - 2.7 73 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 498

> 12  23 24 0 14 - 4.0 75 Fuel model 2

> 23 69 0 40 - 9.3 75 Vegetation fuel classes D 1

 48 snags per acre 

Site 2 

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.088

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.298

Percentage cover 20 79 1 10 5 10 12 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 5 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 20

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 24

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 864

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 62

 6 264 240 3 4 0.6 81 Total volume (ft3/acre) 208

> 6  12 48 96 9 10 1.0 86 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 24 120 13 19 1.7 88 Fuel model 2

> 23 48 24 25 24 6.3 78 Vegetation fuel classes D 1 38 snags per acre 

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.034

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.140

Percentage cover 20 80 1 2 3 6 3 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 5 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 69

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 46

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 956

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 24

 6 504 48 3 4 1.0 65 Total volume (ft3/acre) 938

> 6  12 120 48 10 9 1.5 84 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 531

> 12  23 120 0 19 - 4.2 78 Fuel model 2

> 23 116 0 34 - 12.0 66 Vegetation fuel classes D
16 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

Ravine or gully, high density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 17

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.134

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 95 5 1 4 1 25 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 15 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 78

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 45

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 525

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 8

 6 72 144 4 4 1.3 64 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1474

> 6  12 0 48 - 11 2.0 75 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 1030

> 12  23 72 0 20 - 8.3 53 Fuel model 9

> 23 165 24 42 25 11.6 69 Vegetation fuel classes D 1 8 snags per acre 

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.011

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 92 8 1 0 0 3 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 70 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 131

Trees Total canopy cover (%)) 68

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 1306

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 48

 6 552 0 4 - 1.3 82 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1928

> 6  12 240 0 9 - 3.2 64 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 1196

> 12  23 288 0 19 - 3.3 83 Fuel model 9

> 23 226 0 36 - 10.2 67 Vegetation fuel classes E

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.104

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.210

Percentage cover 80 20 1 2 3 12 20 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 25 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 43

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 48

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 1704

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 96

 6 336 360 3 3 1.0 65 Total volume (ft3/acre) 475

> 6  12 360 24 9 12 3.4 62 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 89

> 12  23 528 0 18 - 5.1 72 Fuel model 9

> 23 96 0 37 - 6.3 74 Vegetation fuel classes B
18 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

South ≤ 25% slope, low density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 19

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.003

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.006

Percentage cover 5 30 25 25 2 1 3 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 0

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 0

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 0

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 Total volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 6  12 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 Fuel model 1

> 23 Vegetation fuel classes A

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.004

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.009

Percentage cover 2 30 0 55 2 2 25 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 38

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 18

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 30

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 553

> 6  12 0 0 - - - - Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 465

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 1

> 23 30 0 39 - 3.5 88 Vegetation fuel classes D

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.001

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.006

Percentage cover 2 45 1 65 2 1 20 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 2

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 0

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 120

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 24 0 2 - 0.0 100 Total volume (ft3/acre) 11

> 6  12 96 0 9 - 1.0 97 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C

No trees 
20 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

South ≤ 25% slope, moderate density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 21

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.033

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.009

Percentage cover 30 70 0 25 3 9 8 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 5 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 29

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 22

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 72

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 24

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 296

> 6  12 0 0 - - - - Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 197

> 12  23 24 0 14 - 3.0 85 Fuel model 2

> 23 48 0 24 - 1.5 93 Vegetation fuel classes B 1 24 snags per acre 

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.009

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.002

Percentage cover 80 5 0 25 1 2 1 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 2 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 66

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 40

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 163

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 14

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 817

> 6  12 24 0 10 - 4.0 75 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 564

> 12  23 72 0 18 - 4.0 60 Fuel model 2

> 23 67 0 34 - 6.3 77 Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.006

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.005

Percentage cover 60 20 0 18 0 5 5 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 8 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 28

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 25

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 192

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 72 0 3 - 0.3 98 Total volume (ft3/acre) 252

> 6  12 72 0 10 - 1.7 84 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 139

> 12  23 48 0 21 - 3.0 95 Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes D
22 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

South ≤ 25% slope, moderate density

Site 4 close Site 4 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 23

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 4

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.016

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 60 10 2 15 1 5 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 38

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 22

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 278

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 168 0 3 - 0.0 100 Total volume (ft3/acre) 500

> 6  12 72 0 8 - 1.5 85 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 393

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 38 0 34 - 6.5 75 Vegetation fuel classes D
24 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

South ≤ 25% slope, high density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 25

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.001

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 90 0 0 7 0 5 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 7 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 150

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 73

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 960

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 48

 6 72 0 5 - 1.5 40 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1999

> 6  12 216 0 10 - 2.4 64 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 1025

> 12  23 240 0 18 - 6.5 57 Fuel model 2

> 23 432 0 32 - 11.1 59 Vegetation fuel classes B 1 48 snags per acre 

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.000

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 95 0 0 1 0 0 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 4 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 176

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 76

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 960

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 216 0 3 - 1.7 40 Total volume (ft3/acre) 2175

> 6  12 144 0 10 - 1.5 81 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 1138

> 12  23 144 0 18 - 5.3 68 Fuel model 9

> 23 456 0 30 - 12.9 50 Vegetation fuel classes B

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.003

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 90 0 0 75 3 2 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 3 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 58

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 48

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 2300

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 1008 24 4 1 2.6 60 Total volume (ft3/acre) 753

> 6  12 1224 0 9 - 3.0 63 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 495

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 44 0 42 - 11.0 73 Vegetation fuel classes D
26 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

South > 25% slope, low density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 27

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.000

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 45 30 5 40 3 0 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 2 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 40

Trees Total canopy cover (%)) 22

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 34

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 472

> 6  12 0 0 - - - - Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 354

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 34 0 30 - 2.5 85 Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.003

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.003

Percentage cover 2 90 10 3 1 2 3 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 4

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 5

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 48

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 22

> 6  12 48 0 10 - 3.0 65 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.006

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.002

Percentage cover 5 65 5 25 1 3 7 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 29

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 22

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 72

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 0 0 0 - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 308

> 6  12 0 0 0 - - - Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 166

> 12  23 24 0 18 - 3.0 80 Fuel model 2

> 23 48 0 26 - 3.5 85 Vegetation fuel classes C
28 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

South > 25% slope, moderate density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 29

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.001

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.001

Percentage cover 3 85 15 4 1 3 1 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 23

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 18

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 72

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 24

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 261

> 6  12 0 0 - - - - Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 127

> 12  23 48 0 17 - 6.5 60 Fuel model 2

> 23 24 0 33 - 6.0 80 Vegetation fuel classes D 1

 24 snags per acre 

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.006

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 45 15 0 35 2 5 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 2 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 60

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 36

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 140

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 700

> 6  12 24 0 9 - 4.0 50 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 480

> 12  23 72 0 18 - 6.7 53 Fuel model 2

> 23 44 0 32 - 4.0 88 Vegetation fuel classes D

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.002

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 2 75 20 15 0 2 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 60

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 38

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 464

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 48

 6 168 0 5 - 2.8 43 Total volume (ft3/acre) 863

> 6  12 24 0 8 - 4.0 50 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 524

> 12  23 168 0 18 - 4.5 64 Fuel model 2

> 23 104 0 35 - 8.2 64 Vegetation fuel classes D
30 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

South > 25% slope, high density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 31

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.001

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.001

Percentage cover 95 3 1 1 1 1 1 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 6 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 102

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 61

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 744

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 24

 6 120 0 4 - 3.7 50 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1246

> 6  12 72 0 10 - 3.7 45 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 497

> 12  23 288 0 18 - 8.6 56 Fuel model 9

> 23 264 0 30 - 12.8 57 Vegetation fuel classes B 1

 24 snags per acre 

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.006

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 80 0 10 1 0 8 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 3 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 145

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 71

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 1296

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 2026

> 6  12 528 0 7 - 1.0 30 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 1154

> 12  23 456 0 18 - 6.0 60 Fuel model 9

> 23 312 0 36 - 13.1 54 Vegetation fuel classes B

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.008

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 90 0 0 1 1 5 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 5 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 88

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 70

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 1488

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 72

 6 384 0 5 - 2.0 57 Total volume (ft3/acre) 747

> 6  12 456 0 10 - 3.0 62 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 504 0 18 - 5.6 57 Fuel model 9

> 23 144 0 25 - 8.8 60 Vegetation fuel classes B
32 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

North ≤ 25% slope, low density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 33

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.025

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.004

Percentage cover 1 5 50 40 1 5 4 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 0

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 0

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 0

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 Total volume (ft3

/acre) 0

> 6  12 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 Fuel model 1

> 23 Vegetation fuel classes A

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.002

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.004

Percentage cover 1 20 0 70 1 2 10 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 0

Trees Total canopy cover (%) < 5

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 48

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 24

 6 48 0 4 - 0.7 95 Total volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 6  12 0 0 - - - - Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.018

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.001

Percentage cover 4 92 3 45 20 5 2 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 9

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 9

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 168

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 120 0 4 - 0.0 79 Total volume (ft3/acre) 84

> 6  12 24 0 7 - 0.0 100 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 43

> 12  23 24 0 21 - 4.0 75 Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C

No trees
34 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

North ≤ 25% slope, low density

Site 4 close

Site 5 close Site 5 distant

Site 4 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 35

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 4

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.000

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.002

Percentage cover 3 30 8 70 3 1 6 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 11

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 14

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 192

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 96 0 4 - 0.0 100 Total volume (ft3/acre) 72

> 6  12 48 0 12 - 0.0 100 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 48 0 15 - 1.0 100 Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 5

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.024

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 60 10 3 20 2 5 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 27

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 24

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 288

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 72

 6 96 0 3 - 2.0 90 Total volume (ft3/acre) 408

> 6  12 120 0 9 - 1.0 93 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 288

> 12  23 24 0 16 - 4.0 75 Fuel model 2

> 23 48 0 41 - 4.0 83 Vegetation fuel classes C 1

 24 snags per acre
36 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

North ≤ 25% slope, moderate density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 37

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.005

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 50 10 2 11 1 2 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 10 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 27

Trees Total canopy cover (%)) 22

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 261

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 24

 6 144 0 5 - 0.8 94 Total volume (ft3/acre) 301

> 6  12 96 0 9 - 1.0 90 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 210

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 21 0 33 - 7.0 77 Vegetation fuel classes D

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.005

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.004

Percentage cover 95 0 0 85 20 4 3 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 5 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 101

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 51

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 300

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 1433

> 6  12 24 0 10 - 2.0 70 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 976

> 12  23 48 0 15 - 5.0 65 Fuel model 2

> 23 228 0 32 - 10.9 62 Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.005

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.007

Percentage cover 30 10 0 10 1 3 10 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 10

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 21

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 432

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 48

 6 168 0 6 - 1.0 100 Total volume (ft3/acre) 61

> 6  12 264 0 9 - 1.0 95 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C
38 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

North ≤ 25% slope, high density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 39

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.018

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.001

Percentage cover 90 0 0 6 1 25 2 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 22 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 112

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 64

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 744

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 120

 6 96 0 2 - 0.7 65 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1604

> 6  12 144 0 11 - 5.8 48 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 622

> 12  23 120 24 18 23 5.5 69 Fuel model 2

> 23 336 24 35 29 9.4 67 Vegetation fuel classes B

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.014

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.016

Percentage cover 80 2 0 3 2 4 23 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 20 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 131

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 74

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 984

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 48

 6 264 0 4 - 1.3 72 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1548

> 6  12 216 0 9 - 3.0 69 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 902

> 12  23 240 0 18 - 5.8 64 Fuel model 9

> 23 264 0 34 - 9.5 75 Vegetation fuel classes B

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.001

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 50 50 0 70 5 1 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 5 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 29

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 43

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 1248

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 120

 6 216 48 5 6 0.7 89 Total volume (ft3/acre) 190

> 6  12 864 0 9 - 2.9 68 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 120 0 14 - 4.7 67 Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C
40 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

North > 25% slope, low density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 41

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.012

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.010

Percentage cover 10 80 5 12 6 4 11 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 3 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 19

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 19

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 768

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 432 216 3 1 0.8 85 Total volume (ft3/acre) 218

> 6  12 24 0 8 - 1.0 85 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 108

> 12  23 72 0 17 - 1.3 97 Fuel model 2

> 23 24 0 30 - 1.0 95 Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.003

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.005

Percentage cover 9 90 2 2 1 2 7 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 9

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 12

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 840

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 24

 6 696 0 3 - 0.8 82 Total volume (ft3/acre) 94

> 6  12 120 0 8 - 3.5 53 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 48

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 24 0 26 - 3.0 85 Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.005

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.002

Percentage cover 3 95 1 60 1 3 4 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 3

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 7

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 1104

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 864 168 3 2 0.1 96 Total volume (ft3/acre) 23

> 6  12 48 0 10 - 1.0 93 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 24 0 17 - 0.0 100 Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C
42 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

North > 25% slope, moderate density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 43

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.009

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.001

Percentage cover 80 3 2 5 1 20 1 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 4 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 95

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 53

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 548

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 24

 6 24 0 5 - 3.0 40 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1565

> 6  12 72 0 11 - 6.5 40 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 772

> 12  23 120 0 22 - 6.0 60 Fuel model 9

> 23 332 0 36 - 15.2 54 Vegetation fuel classes B 1

 24 snags per acre 

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.002

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.002

Percentage cover 7 90 1 18 2 1 2 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 28

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 33

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 864

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 408 48 4 2 0.8 73 Total volume (ft3/acre) 250

> 6  12 192 0 8 - 2.7 74 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 67

> 12  23 192 0 16 - 3.4 76 Fuel model 2

> 23 24 0 29 - 6.0 75 Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.054

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.315

Percentage cover 85 10 1 4 1 4 27 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 10 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 74

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 56

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 1200

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 48

 6 168 432 4 2 0.9 86 Total volume (ft3/acre) 879

> 6  12 96 0 11 - 3.7 75 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 197

> 12  23 264 0 21 - 7.2 67 Fuel model 9

> 23 240 0 28 - 9.7 70 Vegetation fuel classes B 1

 24 snags per acre 
44 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

North > 25% slope, high density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 45

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.028

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 95 2 4 1 2 12 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 3 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 130

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 67

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 888

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 48

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 1913

> 6  12 96 0 8 - 4.0 30 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 823

> 12  23 432 24 18 20 6.1 55 Fuel model 9

> 23 336 0 34 - 11.6 56 Vegetation fuel classes B 1

 48 snags per acre 

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.001

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 1.121

Percentage cover 95 0 0 0 0 1 18 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 70 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 165

Trees Total canopy cover (%)) 80

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 1632

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre1 96

 6 288 0 5 - 2.1 54 Total volume (ft3/acre) 2245

> 6  12 480 0 10 - 3.9 59 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 1116

> 12  23 576 0 17 - 6.2 65 Fuel model 9

> 23 288 0 34 - 13.2 57 Vegetation fuel classes E 1

 24 snags per acre 

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.001

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 97 3 1 1 0 1 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 15 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 93

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 69

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 1920

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 480

 6 288 0 4 - 2.2 61 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1066

> 6  12 528 0 10 - 3.9 61 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 190

> 12  23 912 0 19 - 7.7 59 Fuel model 9

> 23 192 0 29 - 11.8 56 Vegetation fuel classes B
46 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

Ridge or bench, low density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 47

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.049

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.009

Percentage cover 3 27 1 70 4 15 4 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 0

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 0

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 0

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 Total volume (ft3

/acre) 0

> 6  12 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 Fuel model 1

> 23 Vegetation fuel classes A

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.022

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.002

Percentage cover 3 30 0 30 8 5 30 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 0

Trees Total canopy cover (%) < 5

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 24

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 24 0 2 - 0 95 Total volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 6  12 0 0 - - - - Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 1

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.028

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.002

Percentage cover 53 45 2 45 4 9 2 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 5 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 20

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 11

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 38

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 24 0 1 - 0 100 Total volume (ft3/acre) 287

> 6  12 0 0 - - - - Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 219

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 14 0 38 - 5 85 Vegetation fuel classes C

No trees 
48 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

Ridge or bench, moderate density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 49

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.035

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.006

Percentage cover 50 1 0 5 4 5 20 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 3 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 8

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 14

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 192

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 0 0 - - - - Total volume (ft3/acre) 55

> 6  12 144 0 12 - 2.0 98 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 48 0 13 - 1.0 100 Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.008

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.001

Percentage cover 80 3 0 40 1 2 25 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 2 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 8

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 16

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 336

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 48 0 3 - 0.7 80 Total volume (ft3/acre) 56

> 6  12 264 0 9 - 0.6 97 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 24 0 20 - 2.0 90 Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.004

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 1 15 1 75 2 3 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 1 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 3

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 7

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 816

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 24

 6 744 0 5 - 1.0 83 Total volume (ft3/acre) 10

> 6  12 72 0 8 - 1.3 90 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 0

> 12  23 0 0 - - - - Fuel model 2

> 23 0 0 - - - - Vegetation fuel classes C
50 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007

Ridge or bench, high density

Site 1 close

Site 2 close Site 2 distant

Site 3 close Site 3 distant

Site 1 distant
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-186. 2007 51

Refer to figure 3 and table 5 on pages 8 and 9 for explanation on interpreting photographs and tables.

Site 1

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.005

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.007

Percentage cover 90 10 1 7 1 5 1 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 15 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 87

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 54

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 336

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 24

 6 24 0 4 - 0.0 99 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1028

> 6  12 24 48 11 12 1.5 85 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 576

> 12  23 72 0 18 - 4.7 67 Fuel model 2

> 23 168 0 29 - 5.4 79 Vegetation fuel classes C

Site 2

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.008

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 75 25 0 15 1 5 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 10 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 75

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 56

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 712

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 264 0 4 - 2.0 71 Total volume (ft3/acre) 717

> 6  12 168 0 10 - 2.9 77 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 308

> 12  23 168 24 18 19 3.5 79 Fuel model 2

> 23 88 0 26 - 5.7 78 Vegetation fuel classes B

Site 3

Surface Shrub biomass (tons/acre)

Low shrubs 0.000

Substrate Litter 

Mineral

soil Rocks Grass Forbs 

Low 

shrubs 

Medium 

shrubs Medium shrubs 0.000

Percentage cover 95 0 0 20 0 0 0 Plot summaries

Depth (cm) 3 Total basal area (ft2

/acre) 104

Trees Total canopy cover (%) 60

Height class Trees/acre Average height (ft.) Canopy Total trees per acre 840

of trees (ft.) PP JU PP JU Base height (ft) Crown ratio (%) Total dead trees per acre 0

 6 144 0 4 - 1.3 67 Total volume (ft3/acre) 1191

> 6  12 168 0 10 - 2.6 66 Merch. volume (ft3/acre) 329

> 12  23 264 0 18 - 9.6 52 Fuel model 2

> 23 264 0 26 - 12.8 48 Vegetation fuel classes B

Notes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its 

programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, 

and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, 

sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or 

part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not 

all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require 

alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, 

audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 

and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil 

Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 

(800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider and employer.

RMRS

ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESEARCH STATION

Federal Recycling Program Printed on Recycled Paper

The Rocky Mountain Research Station develops scientific information 

and technology to improve management, protection, and use of the 

forests and rangelands. Research is designed to meet the needs of 

National Forest managers, Federal and State agencies, public and 

private organizations, academic institutions, industry, and individuals. 

Studies accelerate solutions to problems involving ecosystems, range, 

forests, water, recreation, fire, resource inventory, land reclamation, 

community sustainability, forest engineering technology, multiple use 

economics, wildlife and fish habitat, and forest insects and diseases. 

Studies are conducted cooperatively, and applications may be found 

worldwide.

Research Locations

Flagstaff, Arizona Reno, Nevada

Fort Collins, Colorado* Albuquerque, New Mexico

Boise, Idaho Rapid City, South Dakota

Moscow, Idaho Logan, Utah

Bozeman, Montana Ogden, Utah

Missoula, Montana Provo, Utah

*Station Headquarters, Natural Resources Research Center,

2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526