Stereo Photo Series for Quantifying Natural Fuels

Volume XII: Post-Hurricane Fuels in Forests of the 

Southeast United States 

Robert E. Vihnanek, Cameron S. Balog, Clinton S. Wright, Roger D. Ottmar, and Jeffrey W. Kelly 

United States

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest

Research Station

General Technical

Report

PNW-GTR-803

November 2009
ABSTRACT

Vihnanek, Robert E.; Balog, Cameron S.; Wright, Clinton S.; Ottmar, Roger D.; Kelly, Jeffrey W. 2009. Stereo photo series for 

quantifying natural fuels. Volume XII: Post-hurricane fuels in forests of the Southeast United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-803. 

Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 53 p. 

Two series of single and stereo photographs display a range of natural conditions and fuel loadings in post-hurricane forests in the southeastern 

United States. Each group of photos includes inventory information summarizing vegetation composition, structure and loading, woody material 

loading and density by size class, forest floor loading, and various site characteristics. The natural fuels photo series is designed to help land 

managers appraise fuel and vegetation conditions in natural settings. 

Keywords: Woody material, biomass, fuel loading, natural fuels, hurricane, wind damage, blowdown, sand hill, sand pine scrub, longleaf pine, 

Pinus palustris, loblolly pine, Pinus taeda, sand pine, Pinus clausa, shortleaf pine, Pinus echinata, slash pine, Pinus elliottii. 

COOPERATORS

This publication was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Fire and 

Environmental Research Applications Team with funding provided, in part, by the Joint Fire Science Program. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special recognition is due Jay Boykin, USDA Forest Service, De Soto National Forest; Greg Kaufman, Savannas Preserve State Park, Florida 

Division of Recreation and Parks; Randy Prewitt, USDA Forest Service, Sam Houston National Forest; Zachary Prusak, Florida Chapter, The 

Nature Conservancy; Bobi Stiles, USDA Forest Service, Davy Crockett National Forest; Rob Rossmanith, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Florida 

Division of Recreation and Parks; Dean Vanderbleek, Brevard County Parks and Recreation. Noah Carlson, Kyle Jacobson, Jon McDuffey, and 

Shawn Smith, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station; Jim Cronan and Joe Restaino, University of Washington, School of 

Forest Resources worked on this project in the field and in the laboratory. 

AUTHORS

Robert E. Vihnanek is a supervisory forester, Clinton S. Wright and Roger D. Ottmar are research foresters, and Jeffrey W. Kelly was a 

forestry technician, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences 

Laboratory, 400 N. 34th Street, Suite 201, Seattle, Washington 98103; Cameron S. Balog is a research scientist, School of Forest Resources, 

University of Washington, 400 N. 34th Street, Suite 201, Seattle, Washington 98103. 
CONTENTS

2 What Is the Natural Fuels Photo Series? 

3 Why Is the Photo Series Needed? 

3 How Was the Photo Series Developed? 

3 Photographs 

3 Photograph and Information Arrangement 

4 Site Information 

4 Stand Information 

4 Forest Floor Information 

4 Saplings and Trees 

5 Understory Vegetation 

5 Woody Material 

5 Using the Photo Series 

6 Metric Conversions 

7 Species List 

8 Literature Cited 

10 Gulf Coast Post-Hurricane Fuels Photo Series 

38 Atlantic Coast Post-Hurricane Fuels Photo Series 
2

WHAT IS THE NATURAL FUELS PHOTO SERIES?

The first phase of the natural fuels photo series was a collection of six volumes, each representing a region of the United States. Additional phases 

of the natural fuels photo series included new volumes (Volumes VII-XI and Hawaii) and supplemental volumes (Volumes IIa, Va, and VIa). 

Volume I included sites in mixed-conifer, western juniper, sagebrush, and grassland ecosystems in the interior Pacific Northwest. Volume II 

included sites in black and white spruce ecosystems in Alaska, and volume IIa included sites in hardwood ecosystems undergoing succession to 

spruce. Volume III included sites in lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, and gambel oak ecosystems in the Rocky Mountains. Volume IV included 

sites in pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, and chaparral ecosystems in the Southwest. Volume V included sites in red and white pine, northern tallgrass 

prairie, and mixed oak ecosystems in the Midwest, and volume Va included sites in jack pine ecosystems. Volume VI included sites in longleaf 

pine, pocosin, and marsh grass ecosystems in the Southeast, and volume VIa included sites in sand hill, sand pine scrub, and white pine-invaded 

hardwood ecosystems. Volume VII included sites in Oregon white oak, California deciduous oak, and mixed-conifer with shrub ecosystems in 

Washington, Oregon, and California. Volume VIII included sites in hardwood, pitch pine, and red spruce/balsam fir ecosystems in the Northeast. 

Volume IX included sites in oak-juniper ecosystems in southern Arizona and New Mexico. Volume X included sites in sagebrush with grass and 

ponderosa pine-juniper ecosystems in central Montana. Volume XI included sites in big sagebrush ecosystems that were ecotonal with grasses, 

western juniper, and ponderosa pine in eastern Oregon. An unnumbered volume included grassland, shrubland, and forest ecosystems in Hawaii. 

Generally, sites include wide-angle and stereo-pair photographs supplemented with information on living and dead fuels, vegetation, and stand 

structure and composition within the area visible in the photographs (fig. 1). The sites in this volume provide a basis for appraising and describing 

woody material, vegetation, and stand conditions in many post-hurricane forest types in the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of the Southeast United 

States. 

Figure 1--Photo series sample area 

layout. Twenty-one random azimuth 

line transects (one at each point on the 

60-, 120- and 150-foot arcs, and two at 

each point on the 30- and 90-foot arcs) 

and 3 to 6 clipped vegetation plots were 

located within the sample area. Trees 

were inventoried in the entire sample 

area and seedlings were inventoried on 

6 to 12 systematically located sample 

plots.

30 ft

60 ft

90 ft

120 ft

150 ft

Camera point

32 ̊ field of view

Line intercept, vegetation 

height, and canopy closure 

measurement locations

Clipped vegetation plots

Seedling plots

Edge of sample area
3

WHY IS THE PHOTO SERIES NEEDED? 

These photo series are land management tools that can be used to assess landscapes through appraisal of living and dead woody material and 

vegetation (i.e., fuels) and stand characteristics. Once an assessment has been completed, stand treatment options, such as prescribed fire or 

harvesting, can be planned and implemented to better achieve desired effects while minimizing negative impacts on other resources. 

The photo series has application in several branches of natural resource science and management. Inventory data such as these can be used as 

inputs for evaluating animal and insect habitat, nutrient cycling, and microclimate, for example. Fire managers will find these data useful for 

predicting fuel consumption, smoke production, fire behavior, and fire effects during wildfires and prescribed fires. In addition, the photo series 

can be used to appraise carbon sequestration, an important factor in predictions of future climate, and to link remotely sensed signatures to live and 

dead fuels on the ground. 

Ground inventory procedures that directly measure site conditions (e.g., fuel loading and arrangement, vegetation structure and composition, etc.) 

exist for most ecosystem types and are useful when a high degree of accuracy is required. Ground inventory is time-consuming and expensive, 

however. Photo series can be used to make quick, easy, and inexpensive approximations of fuel quantities and stand conditions when less precise 

estimates are acceptable. 

HOW WAS THE PHOTO SERIES DEVELOPED?

Sites photographed for the series in this volume were selected to show a range of fuel conditions following hurricanes in forests in the Southeast 

United States. The sites represent a range of forested stand conditions and blowdown damage. The sites sampled in this volume are divided into 

two series (Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast post-hurricane fuels), one dominated by mixed forest species and the other by a heavy shrub understory, 

respectively. Within each series, sites are ordered by total loading of downed woody material. Photographs were taken, and fuel loading, stand 

structure, and composition data were collected by using the procedures of Maxwell and Ward (1980) as a guide. This volume presents a more 

extensive survey of hurricane-generated fuels than the work first published by Wade et al. (1993). 

PHOTOGRAPHS

Stereo-pair photographs are included in this guide. The three-dimensional image obtained by viewing the photographs with a stereoscope will 

improve the ability of the land manager to appraise natural fuel, vegetation, and stand structure conditions. A larger, wide-angle photograph has 

been included for additional comparisons. The marker in these photographs is a 1-foot square, and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-

foot intervals to provide scale. The pole is 30 feet from the camera. The summary data relate to the field of view of the stereo-pair photographs 

but are based on measurements taken in the sample area only (see fig. 1). No sampling occurs in the foreground between the camera and the sign. 

PHOTOGRAPH AND INFORMATION ARRANGEMENT

The photographs and accompanying data summaries are presented as single sites organized into two series. Each site is arranged to occupy two facing 

pages. The upper page contains the wide-angle (50mm) photograph and general site, stand, and forest floor information. The lower page includes the 
4

stereo-pair photographs and summaries of overstory structure and composition, understory vegetation structure and composition, and downed

woody material loading and density by size class. 

SITE INFORMATION

The camera point of each site was located with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver using the WGS-84 datum. Aspect and slope were

measured with a compass and clinometer, respectively. Ecological community classification (to the association level; NatureServe 2009), an 

indicator of current vegetation composition, was assigned for all sites. In addition, Society of American Foresters (SAF) cover type (Eyre 1980) 

was assigned to describe forest structure for each site. Sites impacted by hurricanes Francis (2004), Jeanne (2004), Katrina (2005), and Ike (2008) 

were sampled 1 month to 2.5 years post-hurricane. 

STAND INFORMATION

Shrub, forb, and graminoid species coverage, was estimated by using line intercept transects (Canfield 1941). Tree and understory species (shrub, 

forb, and graminoid species) present at a site are listed in order of abundance.1 The listing of understory species was not meant to be a complete 

vegetation inventory and may represent only a portion of the actual species richness of the sampled areas. The percentage of standing dead trees 

and trees with snapped off boles was determined by sampling within the site (fig. 1). Crown closure was measured with a forest densitometer (84 

systematically located points). Seedling composition and density were determined either by using twelve 0.002-acre circular plots or six 43.06-

square-foot square plots; all trees less than 4.5 feet tall were considered seedlings. Quercus species with a shrub-like growth habit were not 

counted as seedlings.2

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

Litter and duff were collected in three to six 5.38-square-foot plots, ovendried, and weighed to compute loading on an area basis. Forest floor 

material is classified following the scheme outlined in Pritchett (1979), where the litter, or L-layer, comprises dead, undecomposed vegetation 

(including dead grass material that was detached from the plant base), and the duff, a combination of the F and H layers, consisting of dead 

vegetation in various stages of decay. Additionally, in sites with recent hurricane damage, conifer needles still attached to broken-off crowns lying 

within a projected columnar space above the 5.38-square-foot plots were collected, processed, and reported as “crown litter.” 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

All overstory trees and saplings (i.e., trees ≥4.5 feet tall) within the sample area were counted and measured (fig. 1). Tree measurement data were 

summarized by diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) 3

size class and by tree status (all, live, or dead). Trees that were snapped off during the hurricane 

were also noted. Height to crown base (reported as ladder fuel height in previous photo series volumes) was defined as the height of the lowest, 

continuous live or dead branch material of the tree canopy, and height to live crown was defined as the height of the lowest continuous live 

 

1

 A list of scientific and common species names used in this volume appears on page 7. 

2 Quercus species with a shrub-like growth form are listed in the “Notes to Users” section before each series. 

3

 D.b.h. is measured 4.5 feet above the ground. 
5

branches of the tree canopy. Live crown mass (branchwood and foliage) was calculated from species- and size-specific allometric equations 

(Baldwin 1989, Clark and Schroeder 1985, Clark et al. 1986, Ker 1980, Loomis and Blank 1981, Loomis et al. 1966, Martin et al. 1998, Perala 

1993, Taras 1980, Taras and Phillips 1978, Ter-Mikaelian and Korzukhin 1997, Whittaker and Woodwell 1968). Generalized composite equations 

were used when species-specific equations were not available in the literature. A size-specific composite “soft hardwoods” equation was 

substituted for Ilex spp., Ilex vomitoria, and Morrella cerifera (Clark and Schroeder 1985). A size-specific composite “hard hardwoods” equation 

was substituted for Magnolia spp., Osmanthus americanus, Quercus laevis, Quercus laurifolia, and Quercus myrtifolia (Clark and Schroeder 

1985). 

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Understory species coverage was estimated by using line intercept transects (Canfield 1941). Where species-specific coverage is not reported, 

understory vegetation coverage was estimated by lifeform category (shrub, forb, or graminoid) by using the line intercept transects. Understory 

vegetation heights were measured at 39 points located systematically throughout the sample area. Understory vegetation biomass was determined 

by sampling three to six square, clipped vegetation plots also located systematically throughout the sample area (fig. 1). Shrubs were collected in 

43.06-square-foot plots; graminoids and forbs were collected in 10.76-square-foot plots. All live and dead understory vegetation (regardless of 

size) rooted in each plot was clipped at ground level, separated, and returned to the laboratory for oven drying. Understory vegetation and other 

collected material were oven dried at a minimum of 158° F for at least 48 hours before weighing and determination of area loading. 

WOODY MATERIAL

Measurement techniques used for inventorying dead and down woody material were patterned after the planar intersect method outlined by Brown 

(1974) and described by Maxwell and Ward (1980). Twenty-one transects of random azimuth starting at 15 systematically located points within 

the sample area were used to determine woody material loading and density (fig. 1). Woody material data are reported by size classes that 

correspond to timelag fuel classes used in fire behavior modeling (Burgan and Rothermel 1984).4

 Woody material in 1-hour, 10-hour, and 100-

hour size classes was tallied on transects that were 3 feet, 10 feet, and 60 feet long, respectively. The decay class and the actual diameter at the 

point of intersection were measured for all pieces >3 inches in diameter. All woody material <3 inches in diameter was considered sound. Woody 

material loading and woody material density were calculated from relationships that use number of pieces intersected and transect length (and 

wood specific gravity for loading) developed by Brown (1974) and Safranyik and Linton (1987), respectively. 

USING THE PHOTO SERIES

The natural fuels photo series is a tool for quickly and inexpensively evaluating a variety of fuel and vegetation conditions. Because of its ease of 

use, however, care must be taken when evaluating field sites to compare only with photo series sites that are appropriate matches. It is acceptable, 

however, to use the data from more than one site from the photo series when evaluating a site in the field (e.g., woody material loading from one 

site in the photo series and tree density from another site in the photo series to best match the conditions of a given field site). 

 

4

 1-, 10-, 100- and 1,000-hour timelag fuels are defined as woody material 0.25 inch, 0.26-1.0 inch, 1.1-3.0 inches, and >3.0 inches in diameter, respectively. 
6

Make a visual inventory of the site by observing fuel and stand conditions within the field of view and compare them with the stereo-pair 

photographs as follows, remembering that the data tables relate to the area behind the sign in the stereo-pair photographs: 

Observe each characteristic for a specific size class of woody material on the ground (e.g., 3.1- to 9.0-inch woody material loading). 

Select a photo series site (or sites) that nearly matches (or brackets) the observed characteristics. 

Obtain the quantitative value for the characteristic being estimated from the data summary accompanying the selected photo series site, or 

interpolate a value between sites. 

Repeat these steps for each size class or stand characteristic of interest. 

The total loading or stand condition can then be calculated by summing the estimates. If the site being inventoried has areas with obvious 

differences in woody material or stand conditions, the user should make separate determinations for each area and then weight and cumulate the 

loading for the whole site. 

Characteristics not distinguishable in the photographs are forest floor depth, loading, and bulk density, and proportions of sound and rotten woody 

material. If values for these characteristics are desired in the inventory, they must be derived from independent sampling or observations. 

The 20 National Fire-Danger Rating System (Burgan 1988, Deeming et al. 1977) and the 13 fire behavior (Albini 1976) fuel models are very 

general in content and broadly applied. Each photo series encompasses a wider range of conditions, and individual sites represent fuel 

characteristics at greater resolution than can be gained by using fuel models; consequently, we chose not to assign one of these existing fuel 

models to individual sites in this photo series. The photo series was designed to provide sufficient fuel and vegetation data from which managers 

could generate their own customized fuel models. 

METRIC CONVERSIONS

1 inch = 2.54 centimeters 1 pound = 0.4536 kilogram 1 ton/acre = 0.2242 kilogram/square meter 

1 foot = 0.3048 meter 1 ton = 907.2 kilograms 1 ton/acre = 2,241.7023 kilograms/hectare 

1 square foot = 0.0929 square meter 1 ton = 0.9072 metric ton 1 ton ∙ acre

-1

∙ inch-1 = 8.8256 kilograms/cubic meter 

1 acre = 4,046.9 square meters 1 pound/acre = 1.1209E-04 kilogram/square meter 1 ton ∙ acre

-1

∙ inch-1 = 8.8256E-03 grams/cubic centimeter 

1 acre = 0.4047 hectare 1 pound/acre = 1.1209 kilograms/hectare 1 ton ∙ acre

-1

∙ inch-1 = 8825.6 grams/cubic meter 
7

SPECIES LIST

Scientific and common species names are from NRCS (2009). Species with a variable growth form may appear on both the shrub and tree lists. 

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

TREES:

Acer rubrum L. Red maple 

Carya spp. Hickory 

Carya texana Buckley Black hickory

Cornus florida L. Flowering dogwood 

Fraxinus spp. Ash 

Fraxinus nigra Marsh. Black ash 

Ilex spp. Holly 

Ilex vomitoria Aiton Yaupon 

Liquidambar styraciflua L. Sweetgum 

Magnolia spp. Magnolia 

Morella cerifera (L.) Small (formerly Myrica cerifera) Wax myrtle

Nyssa sylvatica Marsh. Blackgum

Osmanthus americanus (L.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex A. Gray Devilwood 

Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch Hophornbeam 

Pinus clausa (Chapm. ex Engelm.) Vasey ex Sarg. Sand pine 

Pinus echinata P. Mill. Shortleaf pine 

Pinus elliottii Engelm. Slash pine 

Pinus palustris P. Mill. Longleaf pine 

Pinus taeda L. Loblolly pine 

Prunus spp. Cherry

Quercus spp. Oak

Quercus alba L. White oak

Quercus chapmanii Sarg. Chapman oak

Quercus geminata Small Sand live oak 

Quercus laevis Walter Turkey oak 

Quercus laurifolia (Michx.) Laurel oak 

Quercus myrtifolia Willd. Myrtle oak 

Quercus rubra L. Northern red oak 

Sabal palmetto (Walter) Lodd. ex Schult & Schult. f. Cabbage palmetto 

Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees Sassafras 

SHRUBS:

Asimina reticulata Shuttlw. ex Chapm. Netted pawpaw 

Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal Pawpaw 

Callicarpa americana L. American beautyberry 

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

SHRUBS (CONTINUED):

Cassytha filiformis L. Devil’s gut 

Ceratiola ericoides Michx. Sand heath 

Ilex spp. Holly 

Ilex glabra (L.) A. Gray Inkberry (gallberry)

Ilex vomitoria Aiton Yaupon

Lyonia lucida (Lam.) K. Koch Fetterbush lyonia 

Morella cerifera (L.) Small (formerly Myrica cerifera) Wax myrtle

Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. Eastern prickly pear 

Prunus umbellata Elliot Hog plum 

Quercus spp. Oak

Quercus chapmanii Sarg. Chapman oak

Quercus geminata Small Sand live oak 

Quercus laevis Walter Turkey oak 

Quercus laurifolia (Michx.) Laurel oak

Quercus myrtifolia Willd. Myrtle oak 

Rubus spp. Blackberry 

Rhus spp. Sumac 

Serenoa repens (Bartram) Small Saw palmetto 

Smilax spp. Greenbrier 

Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze Eastern poison ivy 

Vaccinium spp. Blueberry

Vaccinium arboreum (Marsh.) Farkleberry 

Vitis spp. Grape 

Vitis rotundifolia Michx. Muscadine 

GRAMINOIDS, FORBS, AND LICHENS:

Andropogon virginicus L. Broomsedge bluestem

Aristida spp. Threeawn (wiregrass) 

Carex spp. Sedge 

Cladina evansii (Abbayes) Hale & W.L. Culb. Evan’s reindeer lichen 

Cladina subtenuis (Abbayes) Hale & W.L. Culb. Reindeer lichen 

Nolina atopocarpa Bartlett Florida beargrass 

Palafoxia feay A. Gray Feay’s palafox 

Sabatia gentianoides Elliot Pinewoods rose gentian 
8

LITERATURE CITED

Albini, F.A. 1976. Estimating wildfire behavior and effects. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-30. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 92 p. 

Baldwin, V.C., Jr. 1989. Is sapwood a better predictor of loblolly pine crown biomass than bole diameter? Biomass. 20: 177-185. 

Brown, J.K. 1974. Handbook for inventorying downed woody material. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-16. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 24 p. 

Burgan, R.E. 1988. 1988 revisions to the 1978 national fire-danger rating system. Res. Pap. SE-273. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 39 p. 

Burgan, R.E.; Rothermel, R.C. 1984. BEHAVE: fire behavior prediction and fuel modeling system--FUEL subsystem. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT167. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 126 p. 

Canfield, R.H. 1941. Application of the line interception method in sampling range vegetation. Journal of Forestry. 39: 388-394. 

Clark, A., III; Schroeder, J.G. 1985. Weight, volume, and physical properties of major hardwood species in the southern Appalachian 

mountains. Res. Pap. SE-253. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 63 p. 

Clark, A.C., III; Phillips, D.R.; Frederick, D.J. 1986. Weight, volume, and physical properties of major hardwood species in the upland-South. 

Res. Pap. SE-257. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 55 p. 

Deeming, J.E.; Burgan, R.E.; Cohen, J.D. 1977. The national fire-danger rating system--1978. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-39. Ogden, UT: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 63 p. 

Eyre, F.H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Washington, DC: Society of American Foresters. 148 p. [plus map]. 

Ker, M.F. 1980. Tree biomass equations for ten major species in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. Inf. Rep. M-X-108. Fredericton, New 

Brunswick: Canadian Forestry Service, Maritimes Forest Research Centre. 26 p. 

Loomis, R.M.; Blank, R.W. 1981. Estimating northern red oak crown component weights in the Northeastern United States. Res. Pap. NC-194. 

St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 9 p. 

Loomis, R.M.; Phares, R.E.; Crosby, J.S. 1966. Estimating foliage and branchwood quantities in shortleaf pine. Forest Science. 12(1): 30-39. 

Martin, J.G.; Kloeppel, B.D.; Schaefer, T.L.; Kimbler, D.L.; McNulty, S.G. 1998. Aboveground biomass and nitrogen allocation of ten 

deciduous southern Appalachian tree species. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 28: 1648-1659.

Maxwell, W.G.; Ward, F.R. 1980. Guidelines for developing or supplementing natural photo series. Res. Note PNW-358. Portland, OR: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 16 p. 

Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS]. 2009. The PLANTS Database. Baton Rouge, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural 

Resources Conservation Service, National Plant Data Center. http://plants.usda.gov/. (28 July 2009). 

NatureServe. 2009. NatureServe Explorer: an online encyclopedia of life, Version 6.3. Arlington, VA: NatureServe. 

http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/. (29 July 2009). 
9 

Perala, D.A.; Alban, D.H. 1993. Allometric biomass estimates for aspen-dominated ecosystems in the Upper Great Lakes. Res. Pap. NC-314. 

St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 38 p. 

Pritchett, W.L. 1979. Properties and management of forest soils. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons. 500 p. 

Safranyik, L.; Linton, D.A. 1987. Line intersect sampling for the density and bark area of logging residue susceptible to the spruce beetle, 

Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby). Inf. Rep. BC-X-295. Victoria, BC: Canadian Forestry Service, Pacific Forestry Centre. 10 p. 

Taras, M.A. 1980. Aboveground biomass of Choctawhatchee sand pine in northwest Florida. Res. Pap. SE-210. Asheville, NC: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 23 p. 

Taras, M.A.; Phillips, D.R. 1978. Aboveground biomass of slash pine in a natural sawtimber stand in southern Alabama. Res. Pap. SE-188. 

Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 31 p. 

Ter-Mikaelian, M.T.; Korzukhin, M.D. 1997. Biomass equations for sixty-five North American tree species. Forest Ecology and 

Management. 97: 1-24. 

Whittaker, R.H.; Woodwell, G.M. 1968. Dimension and production relations of trees and shrubs in the Brookhaven Forest, New York. Journal 

of Ecology. 56(1): 1-25. 

Wade, D.D.; Forbus, J.K.; Saveland, J.M. 1993. Photo series for estimating post-hurricane residues and fire behavior in southern pine. Gen. 

Tech. Rep. SE-82. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 19 p. 
10

GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS

PHOTO SERIES

A SERIES OF 13 SITES

GCPH 01 THROUGH GCPH 13 
GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 11

NOTES TO USERS:

1. The sites in this series are ordered by increasing total downed woody material loading.

2. A list of scientific and common species names can be found on page 7. 

3. Photographs were taken in February 2007 and October 2008. Sampling occurred February to March 2007 and October 2008. 

4. The marker in these photographs is a 1-foot square and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-foot intervals. The pole is 30 feet 

from the camera. 

5. Forest floor and woody material loading are reported in tons per acre; understory biomass is reported in pounds per acre. Trace 

measurements of understory percentage coverage, understory biomass, and crown mass are reported as “trace” or as “t.” 

6. A distinction is made between rotten and sound woody material for pieces larger than 3 inches in diameter. 

7. Owing to forest density, certain species and size classes may be difficult to identify in the photographs. Trees more than 150 feet from 

the camera are out of the sample area, even though they may be visible in the photos. 

8. Quercus laurifolia and Quercus myrtifolia are considered shrubs for understory coverage and biomass calculations and excluded from 

seedling counts. Individuals greater than 4.5 feet tall are included in summaries of saplings and trees.
GCPH 01 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 12

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 2.4

 Hardwood litter 1.0

 Conifer litter 1.2

 Other 0.2

Crown litter --

Duff 0.5

Total 2.9

Trees (% of stems): Cornus florida (42), Pinus taeda (19), 

Pinus palustris (15), Pinus elliottii (14), Quercus

rubra (7), Prunus spp. (3)

Standing dead trees: 13% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 3% of stems

Crown closure: 37%

Understory (% cover): Ilex vomitoria (18), Vitis spp. (17), 

Graminoid spp. (8), Quercus laurifolia (4), Smilax spp. (3),

Shrub spp. (3), Ilex spp. (1), Forb spp. (1)

Seedlings (% of stems): Quercus rubra (44), Cornus 

florida (31), Pinus taeda (11), Pinus elliottii (6), Carya 

spp. (3), Prunus spp. (3), Magnolia spp. (2)

Density: 2,550/ac

Site location: N 31° 02’ 48.6” W 89° 14’ 57.8”

Elev: 305 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pin –(White 

Oak, Post Oak)–Mockernut Hickory/Sourwood Forest

SAF cover type: Longleaf Pine–Slash Pine

Time since hurricane: 1.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 01 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 13

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Cornus 

florida (100/0)

Cornus 

florida (76/4)

Pinus 

taeda (12/12)

Pinus 

taeda (29/7)

Pinus 

taeda (19/10)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) --

Pinus 

taeda (4/4)

Pinus 

palustris (18/6)

Pinus 

elliottii (29/0)

Pinus 

elliottii (26/0)

Tree density (stems/ac) 22 181 123 101 224

 Live 22 159 101 94 195

 Dead 0 22 22 7 29

Avg DBH (in) 2.0 2.9 6.4 10.9 8.4

 Live 2.0 2.9 6.3 10.9 8.5

 Dead -- 2.6 7.1 10.5 8.0

Avg height (ft) 20.3 22.4 38.2 54.3 45.5

 Live 20.3 21.6 41.8 56.3 48.8

 Dead -- 27.7 21.7 28.0 23.3

Avg height to crown base (ft) 9.3 11.7 27.1 35.3 31.1

 Live 9.3 11.7 27.1 35.3 31.1

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 9.3 11.7 27.5 37.1 32.1

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.02 0.60 1.62 5.23 6.85

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Ilex 

vomitoria (18) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Vitis 

spp. (17) -- --

Coverage (percent) 46 1 8

Avg height (ft) 2.7 0.4 2.0

Biomass (lbs/ac) 1,758 19 131

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.3 -- 0.3 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.2 -- 1.2 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.9 -- 2.9 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 2.8 0.6 3.4 83 23 107

> 9.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 7.2 0.6 7.8 83 23 107
GCPH 02 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 14

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 0.7

 Hardwood litter 0.0

 Conifer litter 0.7

 Other 0.0

Crown litter 1.5

Duff 0.0

Total 2.2

Trees (% of stems): Pinus echinata (31), Quercus alba (19),

Nyssa sylvatica (13), Acer rubrum (13), Liquidambar 

styraciflua (13), Fraxinus nigra (6), Carya texana (5)

Standing dead trees: 6% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 6% of stems

Crown closure: 67%

Understory (% cover): Graminoid spp. (13), Callicarpa 

americana (4), Morella cerifera (3), Forb spp. (2),

Vaccinium arboreum (1), Toxicodendron radicans (t),

Rubus spp. (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Quercus alba (67), Ostrya 

virginiana (33)

Density: 4,553/ac

Site location: N 31° 24’ 12.4” W 95° 08’ 36.9”

Elev: 421 ft Aspect: 20° Slope: 1%

Association: Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pine–(White 

Oak, Southern Red Oak, Post Oak) Forest 

SAF cover type: Shortleaf Pine–Oak

Time since hurricane: 1 month

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 02 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 15

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- --

Acer 

rubrum (25/0)

Pinus 

echinata (63/0)

Pinus 

echinata (31/0)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- --

Quercus 

alba (12/13)

Nyssa 

sylvatica (13/0)

Quercus 

alba (13/6)

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 0 58 58 115

 Live 0 0 51 58 108

 Dead 0 0 7 0 7

Avg DBH (in) -- -- 6.3 16.5 11.4

 Live -- -- 6.5 16.5 11.8

 Dead -- -- 5.5 -- 5.5

Avg height (ft) -- -- 40.5 87.8 64.1

 Live -- -- 42.4 87.8 66.6

 Dead -- -- 27.0 -- 27.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- -- 23.3 55.6 39.4

 Live -- -- 22.7 55.6 40.2

 Dead -- -- 27.0 -- 27.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- 23.3 62.5 42.9

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 1.14 6.50 7.64

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Callicarpa 

americana (4) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Morella 

cerifera (3) -- --

Coverage (percent) 8 2 13

Avg height (ft) 1.8 1.1 0.8

Biomass (lbs/ac) 176 23 195

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.3 -- 0.3 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.0 -- 1.0 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 1.7 -- 1.7 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 2.6 0.3 2.9 97 5 102

> 9.0 15.4 0.0 15.4 46 0 46

Total 21.0 0.3 21.3 143 5 148
GCPH 03 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 16

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 2.6

 Hardwood litter 0.0

 Conifer litter 2.3

 Other 0.3

Crown litter --

Duff 1.5

Total 4.1

Trees (% of stems): Pinus elliottii (51), Carya spp. (16), 

Pinus taeda (16), Pinus palustris (11), Cornus florida (3),

Quercus rubra (3)

Standing dead trees: 38% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 5% of stems

Crown closure: 35%

Understory (% cover): Smilax spp. (15), Ilex vomitoria (7), 

Quercus spp. (7), Graminoid spp. (6), Shrub spp. (4), 

Vaccinium spp. (3), Quercus laurifolia (2)

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus taeda (46), Carya spp. (31),

Pinus elliottii (13), Osmanthus americanus (7), 

Fraxinus spp. (2), Prunus spp. (1)

Density: 924/ac

Site location: N 31° 03’ 07.2” W 89° 15’ 01.7”

Elev: 261 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pine–(White 

Oak, Post Oak)–Mockernut Hickory/Sourwood Forest

SAF cover type: Longleaf Pine–Slash Pine

Time since hurricane: 1.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 03 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 17

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Carya 

spp. (100/0)

Pinus 

palustris (17/8)

Pinus 

elliottii (38/38)

Pinus 

elliottii (40/20)

Pinus 

elliottii (39/30)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) --

Pinus 

elliottii (0/25)

Pinus 

palustris (8/0)

Pinus 

taeda (20/20)

Pinus 

taeda (13/9)

Tree density (stems/ac) 14 87 94 72 166

 Live 14 51 58 43 101

 Dead 0 36 36 29 65

Avg DBH (in) 1.7 3.3 7.0 12.2 9.2

 Live 1.7 3.2 7.4 12.7 9.7

 Dead -- 3.6 6.3 11.4 8.6

Avg height (ft) 16.0 23.6 42.5 41.6 42.1

 Live 16.0 26.6 48.4 61.3 53.9

 Dead -- 18.4 33.0 12.1 23.7

Avg height to crown base (ft) 8.0 14.7 37.9 43.2 40.1

 Live 8.0 14.7 37.9 43.2 40.1

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 8.0 14.7 37.9 43.2 40.1

Live crown mass (tons/ac) trace 0.19 1.02 3.51 4.53

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Smilax 

spp. (15) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Ilex 

vomitoria (7) -- --

Coverage (percent) 38 trace 6

Avg height (ft) 3.0 0.8 0.8

Biomass (lbs/ac) 864 trace 251

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.2 -- 0.2 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.8 -- 1.8 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 4.7 -- 4.7 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 8.4 0.8 9.2 176 37 213

> 9.0 6.6 0.0 6.6 56 0 56

Total 21.7 0.8 22.5 232 37 269
GCPH 04 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 18

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 2.8

 Hardwood litter 0.4

 Conifer litter 2.4

 Other 0.0

Crown litter --

Duff 3.9

Total 6.7

Trees (% of stems): Pinus palustris (39), Acer rubrum (17),

Quercus alba (13), Cornus florida (12), Pinus taeda (10),

Ilex vomitoria (7), Morella cerifera (2)

Standing dead trees: 27% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 0% of stems

Crown closure: 66%

Understory (% cover): Lyonia lucida (17), Vitis spp. (3), 

Ilex vomitoria (3), Quercus spp. (2), Graminoid spp. (2)

Seedlings (% of stems): Acer rubrum (71), Quercus 

rubra (12), Morella cerifera (9), Magnolia spp. (6), 

Pinus taeda (2)

Density: 6,787/ac

Site location: N 30° 59’ 14.9” W 89° 03’ 03.1”

Elev: 95 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Loblolly Pine–White Oak/Longleaf 

Woodoats Forest

SAF cover type: Longleaf Pine

Time since hurricane: 1.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 04 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 19

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Acer 

rubrum (100/0)

Cornus 

florida (33/0)

Pinus 

palustris (18/18)

Pinus 

palustris (50/21)

Pinus 

palustris (32/20)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) --

Acer 

rubrum (11/11)

Acer 

rubrum (18/0)

Pinus 

taeda (14/0)

Pinus 

taeda (6/6)

Tree density (stems/ac) 7 65 123 101 224

 Live 7 43 87 79 166

 Dead 0 22 36 22 58

Avg DBH (in) 1.0 3.3 6.7 14.7 10.3

 Live 1.0 3.4 6.8 14.8 10.7

 Dead -- 3.2 6.3 14.3 9.3

Avg height (ft) 11.0 23.9 49.2 82.1 64.1

 Live 11.0 23.0 48.7 87.4 67.2

 Dead -- 25.7 50.4 63.0 55.1

Avg height to crown base (ft) 8.0 15.3 29.3 55.4 41.7

 Live 8.0 15.3 29.3 55.4 41.7

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 8.0 15.3 29.3 55.4 41.7

Live crown mass (tons/ac) trace 0.22 2.43 14.60 17.03

age

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Lyonia 

lucida (17) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Vitis 

spp. (3) -- --

Coverage (percent) 25 0 2

Avg height (ft) 1.9 -- 0.6

Biomass (lbs/ac) 447 0 23

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.2 -- 0.2 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.4 -- 1.4 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.3 -- 2.3 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 7.4 1.9 9.3 222 46 268

> 9.0 21.8 4.1 25.9 107 28 135

Total 33.1 6.0 39.1 329 74 403
GCPH 05 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 20

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 1.0

 Hardwood litter 0.0

 Conifer litter 1.0

 Other 0.0

Crown litter 1.3

Duff 0.0

Total 2.3

Trees (% of stems): Pinus echinata (31), Quercus alba (27), 

Nyssa sylvatica (23), Liquidambar styraciflua (11), 

Carya texana (4), Acer rubrum (4)

Standing dead trees: 31% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 13% of stems

Crown closure: 59%

Understory (% cover): Graminoid spp. (32), Morella 

cerifera (9), Forb spp. (4), Callicarpa americana (3),

Vitis spp. (1), Ilex vomitoria (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Quercus alba (68), Sassafras 

albidum (24), Acer rubrum (8)

Density: 5,564/ac

Site location: N 31° 24’ 14.9” W 95° 08’ 37.5”

Elev: 367 ft Aspect: 26° Slope: 3%

Association: Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pine–(White 

Oak, Southern Red Oak, Post Oak) Forest 

SAF cover type: Shortleaf Pine

Time since hurricane: 1 month

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 05 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 21

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 > 4

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead) --

Nyssa 

sylvatica (0/100)

Quercus 

alba (36/9)

Pinus 

echinata (38/15)

Pinus 

echinata (21/13)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- --

Nyssa 

sylvatica (27/9)

Liquidambar

styraciflua (15/0)

Quercus 

alba (21/8)

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 14 80 94 174

 Live 0 0 58 72 130

 Dead 0 14 22 22 44

Avg DBH (in) -- 3.5 6.8 15.3 11.4

 Live -- -- 6.9 15.5 11.7

 Dead -- 3.5 6.4 14.6 10.5

Avg height (ft) -- 25.0 37.2 56.5 27.1

 Live -- -- 43.3 66.5 56.2

 Dead -- 25.0 20.7 23.3 22.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- 10.3 16.6 33.5 47.7

 Live -- -- 16.5 36.6 27.7

 Dead -- 10.3 16.7 23.3 20.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- 18.5 34.3 20.0

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 1.75 11.35 13.10

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Morella 

cerifera (9) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Callicarpa 

americana (3) -- --

Coverage (percent) 13 4 32

Avg height (ft) 1.7 0.5 0.7

Biomass (lbs/ac) 1,164 29 279

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.5 -- 0.5 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.9 -- 1.9 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 3.7 -- 3.7 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 4.0 0.3 4.3 176 9 185

> 9.0 29.9 0.7 30.6 167 5 172

Total 40.0 1.0 41.0 343 14 357
GCPH 06 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 22

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 4.2

 Hardwood litter 0.7

 Conifer litter 3.5

 Other 0.0

Crown litter --

Duff 1.1

Total 5.3

Trees (% of stems): Quercus alba (31), Pinus taeda (26), 

Quercus laurifolia (17), Pinus palustris (13), Cornus 

florida (8), Prunus spp. (5)

Standing dead trees: 51% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 0% of stems

Crown closure: 48%

Understory (% cover): Ilex vomitoria (12), Graminoid spp. (7), 

Lyonia lucida (3), Quercusspp.(3), Vitis spp. (3), Forb spp.(2), 

Smilax spp. (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Quercus rubra (59), Prunus spp. (17), 

Liquidambar styraciflua (14), Acer rubrum (4), 

Magnolia spp. (4), Pinus taeda (2)

Density: 2,098/ac

Site location: N 30° 58’ 47.8” W 89° 03’ 22.5”

Elev: 168 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pine–(White 

Oak, Post Oak)–Mockernut Hickory/Sourwood 

Forest

SAF cover type: Loblolly Pine

Time since hurricane: 1.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 06 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 23

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead) --

Quercus 

alba (29/36)

Pinus 

taeda (18/24)

Pinus 

palustris (50/0)

Pinus 

taeda (24/16)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) --

Cornus 

florida (0/14)

Quercus

laurifolia (6/24)

Pinus 

taeda (38/0)

Quercus 

laurifolia (8/16)

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 101 123 58 181

 Live 0 51 29 58 87

 Dead 0 50 94 0 94

Avg DBH (in) -- 3.4 5.2 15.5 8.5

 Live -- 3.6 5.7 15.5 12.3

 Dead -- 3.1 5.0 -- 5.0

Avg height (ft) -- 25.9 30.0 58.4 39.1

 Live -- 26.8 44.5 58.4 53.8

 Dead -- 25.0 25.5 -- 25.5

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- 17.5 19.9 37.1 31.4

 Live -- 17.5 19.9 37.1 31.4

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- 17.5 28.9 42.5 38.0

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.32 0.31 10.07 10.38

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Ilex 

vomitoria (12) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Lyonia 

lucida (3) -- --

Coverage (percent) 18 2 7

Avg height (ft) 2.6 0.1 0.4

Biomass (lbs/ac) 466 trace 22

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.3 -- 0.3 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 2.1 -- 2.1 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 4.9 -- 4.9 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 13.0 0.1 13.1 422 9 431

> 9.0 25.2 0.7 25.9 144 5 149

Total 45.5 0.8 46.3 566 14 580
GCPH 07 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 24

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 2.0

 Hardwood litter 0.8

 Conifer litter 1.2

 Other 0.0

Crown litter --

Duff 4.6

Total 6.6

 

Trees (% of stems): Magnolia spp. (25), Cornus florida (16),

Pinus taeda (12), Ilex spp. (10), Liquidambar 

styraciflua (10), Quercus myrtifolia (8), Prunus spp. (7), 

Quercus alba (6), Pinus palustris (4), Acer rubrum (2)

Standing dead trees: 25% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 2% of stems

Crown closure: 46%

Understory (% cover): Lyonia lucida (22), Ilex vomitoria (6),

Shrub spp. (4), Quercus myrtifolia (3), Vitis spp. (2), 

Forb spp. (2), Quercus spp. (2), Ilex spp. (2)

Seedlings (% of stems): Quercus rubra (31), Magnolia spp. (27),

Acer rubrum (25), Pinus taeda (10), Quercus alba (5), 

Liquidambar styraciflua (2)

Density: 2,427/ac

Site location: N 30° 59’ 13.6” W 89° 03’ 01.8”

Elev: 160 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: White Oak–Northern Red Oak–

(Mockernut Hickory, Shagbark Hickory)/Flowering 

Dogwood Acidic Forest

SAF cover type: Loblolly Pine–Hardwood

Time since hurricane: 1.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 07 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 25

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Magnolia 

spp. (70/0)

Magnolia 

spp. (27/0)

Cornus 

florida (9/9)

Pinus 

taeda (25/50)

Pinus 

taeda (8/15)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Cornus 

florida (10/0)

Cornus 

florida (20/0)

Liquidambar 

styraciflua (14/4)

Pinus 

palustris (0/25)

Cornus 

florida (8/8)

Tree density (stems/ac) 72 108 159 29 188

 Live 65 101 101 7 108

 Dead 7 7 58 22 80

Avg DBH (in) 1.3 3.0 5.2 10.6 6.0

 Live 1.3 2.9 5.2 11.1 5.6

 Dead 1.6 4.0 5.1 10.5 6.5

Avg height (ft) 15.1 23.7 35.5 39.4 39.1

 Live 14.9 23.3 39.4 72.0 41.6

 Dead 17.0 29.0 28.8 28.5 28.7

Avg height to crown base (ft) 5.3 10.4 21.0 55.0 23.1

 Live 5.3 10.4 20.7 55.0 23.0

 Dead -- -- 25.0 -- 25.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) 5.3 10.4 21.0 55.0 23.1

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.05 0.35 1.23 0.37 1.60

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Lyonia 

lucida (22) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Ilex 

vomitoria (6) -- --

Coverage (percent) 41 2 trace

Avg height (ft) 2.5 0.2 0.1

Biomass (lbs/ac) 382 2 trace

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.2 -- 0.2 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 2.1 -- 2.1 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 3.1 -- 3.1 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 5.7 3.0 8.7 190 121 311

> 9.0 36.0 1.0 37.0 199 9 208

Total 47.1 4.0 51.1 389 130 519
GCPH 08 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 26

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 1.7

 Hardwood litter 1.3

 Conifer litter 0.4

 Other 0.0

Crown litter --

Duff 2.0

Total 3.7

Trees (% of stems): Quercus laurifolia (64), Pinus 

elliottii (10), Pinus taeda (8), Carya spp. (6), Quercus 

alba (5), Cornus florida (5), Ilex spp. (2)

Standing dead trees: 21% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 2% of stems

Crown closure: 25%

Understory (% cover): Smilax spp. (13), Quercus spp. (10), 

Ilex vomitoria (8), Graminoid spp. (6), Forb spp. (4), 

Sabatia gentianoides (2), Ilex spp. (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Quercus rubra (36), Carya spp. (34), 

Cornus florida (9), Pinus elliottii (9), Fraxinus spp. (5), 

Liquidambar styraciflua (3), Acer rubrum (2), 

Prunus spp. (2) 

Density: 462/ac

Site location: N 31° 03’ 01.2” W 89° 14’ 58.2”

Elev: 273 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pine–(White 

Oak, Post Oak)–Mockernut Hickory/Sourwood Forest

SAF cover type: Slash Pine

Time since hurricane: 1.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 08 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 27

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Quercus 

laurifolia (88/8)

Quercus 

laurifolia (55/20)

Pinus 

elliottii (33/33)

Pinus 

taeda (7/31)

Pinus 

elliottii (19/19)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Carya 

spp. (4/0)

Cornus 

florida (10/0)

Cornus 

florida (33/0)

Pinus 

elliottii (15/15)

Pinus 

taeda (6/25)

Tree density (stems/ac) 188 145 22 94 116

 Live 174 116 14 51 65

 Dead 14 29 8 43 51

Avg DBH (in) 1.1 2.6 6.6 14.3 12.8

 Live 1.1 2.6 5.9 13.2 11.6

 Dead 1.1 2.7 8.0 15.5 14.4

Avg height (ft) 12.9 18.7 25.3 45.5 41.7

 Live 12.9 19.0 35.5 51.0 47.6

 Dead 12.5 17.3 5.0 39.0 34.1

Avg height to crown base (ft) 5.5 7.4 23.0 34.3 31.8

 Live 5.5 7.4 23.0 34.3 31.8

 Dead 6.0 -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 5.5 7.4 25.5 35.3 33.1

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.06 0.25 0.28 5.52 5.80

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.4 -- 0.4 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 2.1 -- 2.1 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 4.8 -- 4.8 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 8.5 1.5 10.0 255 23 278

> 9.0 38.0 2.8 40.8 204 19 223

Total 53.8 4.3 58.1 459 42 501

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Smilax 

spp. (12)

Sabatia 

gentianoides (2) --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Quercus 

spp. (10) -- --

Coverage (percent) 31 6 6

Avg height (ft) 4.4 1.4 2.4

Biomass (lbs/ac) 1,818 trace 19
GCPH 09 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 28

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 1.7

 Hardwood litter 0.0

 Conifer litter 1.7

 Other 0.0

Crown litter 1.2

Duff 0.0

Total 2.9

Trees (% of stems): Pinus echinata (63), Quercus alba (37)

Standing dead trees: 13% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 13% of stems

Crown closure: 31%

Understory (% cover): Graminoid spp. (6), Callicarpa

americana (6), Vitis spp. (4), Forb spp. (3), Morella 

cerifera (2), Vaccinium spp. (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Quercus alba (62), Liquidambar 

styraciflua (38)

Density: 13,658/ac

Site location: N 31° 03’ 17.7” W 95° 10’ 10.7”

Elev: 261 ft Aspect: 20° Slope: 8%

Association: Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pine–(White 

Oak, Southern Red Oak, Post Oak) Forest 

SAF cover type: Shortleaf Pine

Time since hurricane: 1 month

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 09 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 29

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- --

Pinus 

echinata (50/13)

Pinus 

echinata (80/20)

Pinus 

echinata (50/13)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- --

Carya 

texana (4/0) --

Pinus 

echinata (50/13)

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 0 22 36 58

 Live 0 0 22 29 51

 Dead 0 0 0 7 7

Avg DBH (in) -- -- 6.1 15.5 12.0

 Live -- -- 6.1 16.4 12.0

 Dead -- -- -- 12.0 12.0

Avg height (ft) -- -- 33.8 79.7 62.5

 Live -- -- 33.8 95.3 69.0

 Dead -- -- -- 17.0 17.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- -- 8.7 42.6 29.9

 Live -- -- 8.7 49.0 31.8

 Dead -- -- -- 17.0 17.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- 11.3 57.7 37.8

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 0.52 4.17 4.69

age

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.4 -- 0.4 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.1 -- 1.1 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 4.3 -- 4.3 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 10.0 0.1 10.1 450 5 455

> 9.0 46.4 0.0 46.4 218 0 218

Total 62.2 0.1 62.3 668 5 673

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Serenoa 

repens (18)

Pteridium 

aquilinum (3) na

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Smilax 

spp. (15) -- --

Coverage (percent) 46 3 trace

Avg height (ft) 6.0 0.7 na

Biomass (lbs/ac) 2,415 76 2

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Callicarpa 

americana (6) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Morella 

cerifera (2) -- --

Coverage (percent) 12 3 6

Avg height (ft) 1.8 0.6 0.8

Biomass (lbs/ac) 571 25 135
GCPH 10 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 30

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 1.8

 Hardwood litter 0.0

 Conifer litter 1.8

 Other 0.0

Crown litter 1.7

Duff 0.0

Total 3.5

Trees (% of stems): Pinus echinata (54), Pinus taeda (31), 

Carya texana (15)

Standing dead trees: 23% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 23% of stems

Crown closure: 28%

Understory (% cover): Vitis spp. (6), Forb spp. (6),

Graminoid spp. (5), Callicarpa americana (5), 

Toxicodendron radicans (1), Rhus spp. (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Quercus alba (90), Liquidambar 

styraciflua (10)

 Density: 5,059/ac

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

Site location: N 31° 23’ 16.8” W 95° 11’ 40.7”

Elev: 460 ft Aspect: 109° Slope: 4%

Association: Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pine–(White 

Oak, Southern Red Oak, Post Oak) Forest 

SAF cover type: Shortleaf Pine

Time since hurricane: 1 month

SITE INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 10 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 31

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- --

Pinus 

taeda (67/0)

Pinus 

echinata (57/43)

Pinus 

echinata (31/23)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- --

Carya 

texana (33/0) --

Pinus 

taeda (31/0)

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 0 43 51 94

 Live 0 0 43 29 72

 Dead 0 0 0 22 22

Avg DBH (in) -- -- 6.6 15.6 11.5

 Live -- -- 6.0 16.1 10.4

 Dead -- -- -- 15.0 15.0

Avg height (ft) -- -- 35.6 70.8 54.6

 Live -- -- 35.6 101.0 61.8

 Dead -- -- -- 30.5 30.5

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- -- 21.9 19.2 36.6

 Live -- -- 21.9 63.2 38.4

 Dead -- -- -- 30.5 30.5

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- 21.9 63.2 38.5

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 0.75 3.69 4.44

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.3 -- 0.3 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 2.0 -- 2.0 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 8.6 -- 8.6 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 5.7 1.1 6.8 264 28 292

> 9.0 53.8 1.4 54.2 246 9 255

Total 70.4 2.5 72.9 510 37 547

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Vitis 

spp. (6) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Callicarpa 

americana (5) -- --

Coverage (percent) 12 6 5

Avg height (ft) 1.3 0.6 1.0

Biomass (lbs/ac) 582 116 163
GCPH 11 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 32

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 0.5

 Hardwood litter 0.0

 Conifer litter 0.5

 Other 0.0

Crown litter 1.0

Duff 0.0

Total 1.5

Trees (% of stems): Pinus echinata (89), Liquidambar 

styraciflua (11)

Standing dead trees: 44% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 44% of stems

Crown closure: 20%

Understory (% cover): Graminoid spp. (13), Callicarpa 

americana (4), Morella cerifera (2), Forb spp. (2), Vitis

spp. (1), Vaccinium spp. (1), Toxicodendron 

radicans (t), Smilax spp. (t), Rubus spp. (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Liquidambar styraciflua (52), Pinus 

echinata (48)

Density: 3,541/ac

Site location: N 31° 29’ 53.1” W 95° 10’ 20.8”

Elev: 326 ft Aspect: 330° Slope: 4%

Association: Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pine–(White 

Oak, Southern Red Oak, Post Oak) Forest 

SAF cover type: Shortleaf Pine

Time since hurricane: 1 month

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 11 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 33

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- --

Pinus 

echinata (80/20)

Pinus 

echinata (25/50)

Pinus 

echinata (56/33)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- -- --

Liquidambar

styraciflua (0/25)

Liquidambar

styraciflua (0/11)

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 0 36 29 65

 Live 0 0 29 7 36

 Dead 0 0 7 22 29

Avg DBH (in) -- -- 5.8 12.7 8.9

 Live -- -- 5.6 18.3 8.2

 Dead -- -- 6.5 10.8 9.8

Avg height (ft) -- -- 41.8 32.3 37.6

 Live -- -- 47.5 90.0 56.0

 Dead -- -- 19.0 13.0 14.5

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- -- 31.4 25.0 28.6

 Live -- -- 34.8 61.0 40.0

 Dead -- -- 18.0 13.0 28.6

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- 34.8 61.0 40.0

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 0.32 1.23 1.55

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.4 -- 0.4 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.7 -- 0.7 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.2 -- 2.2 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 10.6 1.7 12.3 366 51 417

> 9.0 57.2 1.8 59.0 287 5 292

Total 71.1 3.5 74.6 653 56 709

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Callicarpa 

americana (4) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Morella 

cerifera (2) -- --

Coverage (percent) 9 2 13

Avg height (ft) 2.6 0.4 0.7

Biomass (lbs/ac) 712 80 374
GCPH 12 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 34

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 1.4

 Hardwood litter 0.0

 Conifer litter 1.4

 Other 0.0

Crown litter 2.6

Duff 0.0

Total 4.0

Trees (% of stems): Pinus echinata (100)

Standing dead trees: 75% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 75% of stems

Crown closure: 20%

Understory (% cover): Forb spp. (15), Graminoid spp. (10), 

Rhus spp. (6), Callicarpa americana (2), Vitis spp. (2)

Seedlings (% of stems): Quercus alba (70), Liquidambar 

styraciflua (26), Pinus echinata (4)

 Density: 8,937/ac

Site location: N 31° 23’ 06.7” W 95° 11’ 30.7”

Elev: 421 ft Aspect: 85° Slope: 1%

Association: Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pine–(White 

Oak, Southern Red Oak, Post Oak) Forest 

SAF cover type: Shortleaf Pine

Time since hurricane: 1 month

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
GCPH 12 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 35

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- --

Pinus 

echinata (100/0)

Pinus 

echinata (14/86)

Pinus 

echinata (25/75)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- -- -- -- --

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 0 7 50 57

 Live 0 0 7 7 14

 Dead 0 0 0 43 43

Avg DBH (in) -- -- 7.9 14.5 13.7

 Live -- -- 7.9 11.5 9.7

 Dead -- -- -- 15.0 15.0

Avg height (ft) -- -- 59.0 31.6 35.0

 Live -- -- 59.0 67.0 63.0

 Dead -- -- -- 25.7 25.7

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- -- 46.0 29.9 31.9

 Live -- -- 46.0 55.0 50.5

 Dead -- -- -- 25.7 25.7

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- 46.0 55.0 50.5

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 0.17 0.40 0.57

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.3 -- 0.3 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.9 -- 0.9 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 4.4 -- 4.4 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 6.6 2.6 9.2 214 54 268

> 9.0 57.2 10.7 67.9 326 78 404

Total 69.4 13.3 82.7 540 132 672

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Rhus 

spp. (6) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Callicarpa 

americana (2) -- --

Coverage (percent) 10 15 10

Avg height (ft) 2.3 0.7 0.5

Biomass (lbs/ac) 391 71 154
GCPH 13 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 36

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 2.3

 Hardwood litter 0.0

 Conifer litter 2.3

 Other 0.0

Crown litter 1.7

Duff 0.0

Total 4.0

Trees (% of stems): Pinus echinata (100)

Standing dead trees: 0% of stems*

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 0% of stems

Crown closure: 22%

Understory (% cover): Graminoid spp. (12), Rhus spp. (7), 

Callicarpa americana (3), Ilex vomitoria (2), Vitis spp. (2),

Toxicodendron radicans (1), Vaccinium spp. (t), 

Morella cerifera (t), Forb spp. (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Quercus alba (77), Liquidambar 

styraciflua (23)

Density: 5,059/ac

Site location: N 31° 27’ 52.7” W 95° 12’ 25.7”

Elev: 327 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Shortleaf Pine–Loblolly Pine–(White 

Oak, Southern Red Oak, Post Oak) Forest 

SAF cover type: Shortleaf Pine

Time since hurricane: 1 month

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

* Standing dead trees visible in these photos are located beyond 

sample area (see fig. 1).
GCPH 13 GULF COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 37

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

-- -- --

Pinus 

echinata (100/0)

Pinus 

echinata (100/0)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- -- -- -- --

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 0 0 29 29

 Live 0 0 0 29 29

 Dead 0 0 0 0 0

Avg DBH (in) -- -- -- 20.0 20.0

 Live -- -- -- 20.0 20.0

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) -- -- -- 104.2 104.2

 Live -- -- -- 104.2 104.2

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- -- -- 60.1 60.1

 Live -- -- -- 60.1 60.1

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- -- 60.1 60.1

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.16 6.16

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.4 -- 0.4 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.3 -- 1.3 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.9 -- 2.9 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 5.3 0.1 5.4 148 5 153

> 9.0 76.5 1.7 78.2 394 5 399

Total 86.4 1.8 88.2 542 10 552

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Rhus 

spp. (7) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Callicarpa 

americana (3) -- --

Coverage (percent) 15 trace 12

Avg height (ft) 2.6 0.2 1.2

Biomass (lbs/ac) 584 10 297
38

ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS

PHOTO SERIES

A SERIES OF 7 SITES

ACPH 01 THROUGH ACPH 07 
ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 39

NOTES TO USERS:

1. The sites in this series are ordered by increasing total downed woody material loading. 

2. A list of scientific and common species names can be found on page 7. 

3. Photographs were taken in February 2007. Sampling occurred February to March 2007. 

4. The marker in these photographs is a 1-foot square, and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-foot intervals. The pole is 30 feet 

from the camera. 

5. Forest floor and woody material loading are reported in tons per acre; understory biomass is reported in pounds per acre. Trace 

measurements of understory percentage coverage and biomass are reported as “trace” or as “t.” 

6. A distinction is made between rotten and sound woody material for pieces larger than 3 inches in diameter. 

7. Owing to forest density, certain species and size classes may be difficult to identify in the photographs. Trees more than 150 feet from 

the camera are out of the sample area, even though they may be visible in the photos with the exception of ACPH 01 and ACPH 06, 

which extended 230 feet and 180 feet from the camera, respectively. 

8. Quercus chapmanii, Quercus geminata, Quercus laevis, and Quercus myrtifolia are considered shrubs for understory coverage and 

biomass calculations and excluded from seedling counts. Individuals greater than 4.5 feet tall are included in summaries of saplings 

and trees. 

9. Sabal palmetto is not included in the crown mass calculations for ACPH 03. No species-specific or appropriate substitution equations 

were available. 
ACPH 01 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 40

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 0.8

 Hardwood litter 0.0

 Conifer litter 0.4

 Other 0.4

Duff 0.1

Total 0.9

Trees (% of stems): Pinus palustris (100)

Standing dead trees: 86% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 29% of stems

Crown closure: 6%

Understory (% cover): Serenoa repens (57), Aristida 

spp. (21), Ilex glabra (12), Vaccinium spp. (4), Quercus 

laevis (1), Quercus myrtifolia (1), Carex spp. (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): none

Density: 0/ac

Site location: N 27° 49’ 38.1” W 80° 35’ 17.0”

Elev: 38 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Longleaf Pine/Saw Palmetto Flatwoods 

SAF cover type: Longleaf Pine

Time since hurricane: 2.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
ACPH 01 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 41

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- -- --

Pinus 

palustris (14/86)

Pinus 

palustris (14/86)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead) -- -- -- -- --

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 0 0 33 33

 Live 0 0 0 5 5

 Dead 0 0 0 28 28

Avg DBH (in) -- -- -- 12.3 12.3

 Live -- -- -- 14.4 14.4

 Dead -- -- -- 11.9 11.9

Avg height (ft) -- -- -- 34.2 34.2

 Live -- -- -- 52.3 52.3

 Dead -- -- -- 31.2 31.2

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- -- -- 29.0 29.0

 Live -- -- -- 29.0 29.0

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- -- 31.0 31.0

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.61 0.61

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.1 -- 0.1 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.1 -- 1.1 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.4 -- 2.4 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 2.3 0.6 2.9 74 9 83

> 9.0 1.8 0.6 2.4 9 5 14

Total 7.7 1.2 8.9 83 14 97

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Serenoa 

repens (57) --

Aristida

spp. (21)

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Ilex 

glabra (12) --

Carex 

spp. (t)

Coverage (percent) 75 trace 21

Avg height (ft) 2.9 1.1 1.2

Biomass (lbs/ac) 3,694 trace 724
ACPH 02 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 42

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 2.0

 Hardwood litter 2.0

 Conifer litter 0.0

 Other 0.0

Duff 3.9

Total 5.9

Trees (% of stems): Pinus clausa (33), Quercus geminata (31),

Quercus myrtifolia (25), Quercus chapmanii (11)

Standing dead trees: 39% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 24% of stems

Crown closure: <1%

Understory (% cover): Quercus myrtifolia (55), Ceratiola 

ericoides (8), Quercus chapmanii (4), Quercus 

geminata (3), Cladina evansii (2), Cladina subtenuis (1)

Seedlings (% of stems): none

Density: 0/ac

Site location: N 27° 01’ 21.0” W 80° 06’ 34.1”

Elev: 36 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Sand Pine/Sand-Heath/Cup Lichen 

Species Woodland

SAF cover type: Sand Pine

Time since hurricane: 2.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
ACPH 02 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 43

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Quercus 

geminata (41/0)

Pinus 

clausa (0/100)

Pinus 

clausa (0/86)

Pinus 

clausa (0/100)

Pinus 

clausa (0/88)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (32/6) --

Quercus 

geminata (0/14) --

Quercus 

geminata (0/12)

Tree density (stems/ac) 246 7 101 14 115

 Live 224 0 0 0 0

 Dead 22 7 101 14 115

Avg DBH (in) 1.0 3.4 7.2 10.4 7.6

 Live 1.0 -- -- -- --

 Dead 0.9 3.4 7.2 10.4 7.6

Avg height (ft) 7.9 23.5 20.1 6.9 18.5

 Live 7.9 -- -- -- --

 Dead 7.8 23.5 20.1 6.9 18.5

Avg height to crown base (ft) 4.1 -- -- -- --

 Live 4.1 -- -- -- --

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 4.1 -- -- -- --

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.06 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 1.4 -- 1.4 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 2.8 -- 2.8 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.7 -- 2.7 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 4.9 1.4 6.3 190 51 241

> 9.0 2.1 0.0 2.1 19 0 19

Total 13.9 1.4 15.3 209 51 260

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (55) -- --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Ceratiola 

ericoides (8) -- --

Coverage (percent) 73 0 0

Avg height (ft) 3.4 -- --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 7,772 0 0
ACPH 03 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 44

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 1.3

 Hardwood litter 1.0

 Conifer litter 0.1

 Other 0.2

Duff 1.8

Total 3.1

Trees (% of stems): Quercus myrtifolia (58), Pinus 

clausa (40), Quercus geminata (1), Sabal palmetto (1)

Standing dead trees: 10% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 4% of stems

Crown closure: 18%

Understory (% cover): Quercus myrtifolia (42), Quercus 

chapmanii (5), Quercus geminata (4), Ceratiola 

ericoides (4), Andropogon virginicus (1), Serenoa 

repens (1), Nolina atopocarpa (1), Asimina triloba (1), 

Aristida spp. (t), Smilax spp. (t), Prunus 

umbellata (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus clausa (100)

Density: 946/ac

Site location: N 27° 00’ 21.9” W 80° 06’ 10.3”

Elev: 21 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Sand Pine/Sand Live Oak–Myrtle 

Oak–False Rosemary Woodland

SAF cover type: Sand Pine

Time since hurricane: 2.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
ACPH 03 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 45

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (65/0)

Pinus 

clausa (100/0)

Pinus 

clausa (0/50)

Pinus 

clausa (0/100)

Pinus 

clausa (0/73)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Pinus 

clausa (33/0) --

Quercus 

myrtifolia (33/0) --

Quercus

myrtifolia (18/0)

Tree density (stems/ac) 477 7 44 36 80

 Live 477 7 22 0 22

 Dead 0 0 22 36 58

Avg DBH (in) 0.8 4.0 7.3 12.6 9.7

 Live 0.8 4.0 6.6 -- 6.6

 Dead -- -- 8.0 12.6 10.9

Avg height (ft) 7.8 18.0 11.5 14.9 13.0

 Live 7.8 18.0 11.8 -- 11.8

 Dead -- -- 11.2 14.9 13.5

Avg height to crown base (ft) 3.3 14.0 8.3 -- 8.3

 Live 3.3 14.0 8.3 -- 8.3

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 3.3 14.0 8.3 -- 8.3

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.07 0.03 0.21 0.00 0.21

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.6 -- 0.6 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 2.0 -- 2.0 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.0 -- 2.0 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 6.6 2.2 8.8 213 42 255

> 9.0 5.3 3.6 8.9 32 19 51

Total 16.5 5.8 22.3 245 61 306

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (42) --

Andropogon 

virginicus (1)

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Quercus 

chapmanii (5) --

Nolina 

atopocarpa (1)

Coverage (percent) 57 0 3

Avg height (ft) 1.7 -- 0.8

Biomass (lbs/ac) 10,142 -- 21
ACPH 04 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 46

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 2.1

 Hardwood litter 1.4

 Conifer litter 0.2

 Other 0.5

Duff 3.6

Total 5.7

Trees (% of stems): Pinus clausa (35), Quercus geminata (28),

Quercus myrtifolia (25), Quercus chapmanii (12)

Standing dead trees: 48% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 13% of stems

Crown closure: 11%

Understory (% cover): Quercus myrtifolia (39), Quercus 

geminata (8), Serenoa repens (8), Nolina atopocarpa (6),

Quercus chapmanii (4), Aristida spp. (2), Cladina 

evansii (2), Ceratiola ericoides (1), Smilax spp. (t),

Vaccinium spp. (t), Cladina subtenuis (t), Asimina 

reticulata (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): none

Density: 0/ac

Site location: N 27° 00’ 15.4” W 80° 06’ 05.3”

Elev: 24 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Sand Pine/Sand-Heath/Cup Lichen 

Species Woodland

SAF cover type: Sand Pine

Time since hurricane: 2.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
ACPH 04 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 47

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 1.0 -- 1.0 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 3.5 -- 3.5 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 3.8 -- 3.8 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 7.7 0.5 8.2 260 14 274

> 9.0 6.5 0.0 6.5 46 0 46

Total 22.5 0.5 23.0 306 14 320

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Quercus

myrtifolia (40/5)

Quercus

geminata (63/0)

Pinus 

clausa (0/100)

Pinus 

clausa (0/100)

Pinus 

clausa (0/100)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Quercus 

geminata (25/5)

Pinus 

clausa (0/25) -- -- --

Tree density (stems/ac) 144 58 29 58 87

 Live 115 36 0 0 0

 Dead 29 22 29 58 87

Avg DBH (in) 1.4 2.8 7.5 11.6 10.3

 Live 1.4 2.5 -- -- --

 Dead 1.5 3.4 7.5 11.6 10.3

Avg height (ft) 9.0 12.9 19.1 19.5 19.4

 Live 9.0 10.4 -- -- --

 Dead 8.9 17.2 19.1 19.5 19.4

Avg height to crown base (ft) 4.4 3.8 -- -- --

 Live 4.4 3.8 -- -- --

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 4.4 3.8 -- -- --

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.06 0.07 0.00 0.00 0.00

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (39) --

Nolina 

atopocarpa (6)

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Quercus 

geminata (8) --

Aristida 

spp. (2)

Coverage (percent) 59 trace 9

Avg height (ft) 2.5 1.2 0.8

Biomass (lbs/ac) 4,928 trace 16
ACPH 05 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 48

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 2.0

 Hardwood litter 2.0

 Conifer litter 0.0

 Other 0.0

Duff 2.7

Total 4.7

Trees (% of stems): Quercus geminata (30), Quercus 

myrtifolia (27), Quercus chapmanii (24), Pinus clausa (18),

Osmanthus americanus (1)

Standing dead trees: 26% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 7% of stems

Crown closure: 13%

Understory (% cover): Quercus myrtifolia (35), Quercus 

geminata (16), Quercus chapmanii (11), Vitis 

rotundifolia (5), Palafoxia feay (2), Smilax spp. (1), 

Cladina evansii (t), Opuntia humifusa (t), Cassytha 

filiformis (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus clausa (100)

Density: 41/ac

Site location: N 27° 19’ 21.3” W 80° 16’ 08.7”

Elev: 16 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Sand Pine/Sand-Heath/Cup Lichen 

Species Woodland

SAF cover type: Sand Pine

Time since hurricane: 2.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
ACPH 05 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 49

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (37/2)

Quercus 

geminata (45/5)

Pinus 

clausa (0/100)

Pinus 

clausa (0/100)

Pinus 

clausa (0/100)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Quercus 

geminata (17/12)

Quercus

chapmanii (30/0) -- -- --

Tree density (stems/ac) 296 144 51 43 94

 Live 253 137 0 0 0

 Dead 43 7 51 43 94

Avg DBH (in) 1.3 2.7 6.1 10.8 8.3

 Live 1.3 2.7 -- -- --

 Dead 1.5 2.5 6.1 10.8 8.3

Avg height (ft) 8.7 13.9 18.3 17.2 17.8

 Live 8.4 14.3 -- -- --

 Dead 10.5 6.9 18.3 17.2 17.8

Avg height to crown base (ft) 4.3 7.0 -- -- --

 Live 4.3 7.0 -- -- --

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 4.3 7.0 -- -- --

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.13 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.00

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 1.0 -- 1.0 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 3.4 -- 3.4 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 4.4 -- 4.4 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 9.1 0.4 9.5 301 19 320

> 9.0 10.0 1.0 11.0 83 9 92

Total 27.9 1.4 29.3 384 28 412

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (35)

Palafoxia 

feay (2) --

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Quercus 

geminata (16) -- --

Coverage (percent) 68 2 trace

Avg height (ft) 2.4 1.0 0.5

Biomass (lbs/ac) 6,263 trace trace
ACPH 06 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 50

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 3.5

 Hardwood litter 2.2

 Conifer litter 0.0

 Other 1.3

Duff 3.2

Total 6.7

Trees (% of stems): Quercus myrtifolia (40), Pinus 

clausa (31), Quercus geminata (13), Quercuslaevis (6),

Quercus chapmanii (5), Quercus spp. (2), Pinus 

elliottii (2), Pinus palustris (1)

Standing dead trees: 16% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 2% of stems

Crown closure: 18%

Understory (% cover): Quercus geminata (32), Serenoa 

repens (12), Aristida spp. (7), Graminoid spp. (4), 

Quercus chapmanii (2), Ilex spp. (1), Quercus laevis (1), 

Vaccinium spp. (t), Forb spp. (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus clausa (100)

Density: 4,730/ac

Site location: N 28° 00’ 33.5” W 80° 35’ 43.4”

Elev: 22 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Longleaf Pine/Saw Palmetto Flatwoods

SAF cover type: Sand Pine

Time since hurricane: 2.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
ACPH 06 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 51

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species 

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (54/0)

Pinus 

clausa (0/57)

Pinus 

clausa (26/43)

Pinus 

clausa (33/50)

Pinus 

clausa (29/46)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Pinus 

clausa (16/1)

Quercus 

geminata (36/0)

Quercus 

laevis (22/0)

Pinus 

elliottii (0/17)

Quercus 

laevis (14/0)

Tree density (stems/ac) 968 101 166 87 253

 Live 953 36 87 29 116

 Dead 15 65 79 58 137

Avg DBH (in) 0.7 2.9 6.2 11.4 8.0

 Live 0.7 2.5 6.4 10.0 7.3

 Dead 1.3 3.1 6.1 12.1 8.6

Avg height (ft) 7.9 15.2 33.3 33.4 33.3

 Live 7.7 10.5 33.4 49.5 37.4

 Dead 21.5 17.8 33.2 25.4 29.9

Avg height to crown base (ft) 2.9 4.7 15.5 34.3 20.2

 Live 2.9 4.7 15.5 34.3 20.2

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 2.9 4.7 19.2 37.5 23.8

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.18 0.08 1.65 1.34 2.99

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.5 -- 0.5 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.8 -- 1.8 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 5.1 -- 5.1 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 9.9 1.1 11.0 315 37 352

> 9.0 19.5 4.2 23.7 120 37 157

Total 36.8 5.3 42.1 435 74 509

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Quercus 

geminata (32) --

Aristida 

spp. (7)

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Serenoa 

repens (12) -- --

Coverage (percent) 48 trace 11

Avg height (ft) 3.5 1.3 1.4

Biomass (lbs/ac) 6,375 295 16
ACPH 07 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 52

Loading

(tons/ac)

Surface material 2.1

 Hardwood litter 0.4

 Conifer litter 0.6

 Other 1.1

Duff 3.2

Total 5.3

Trees (% of stems): Pinus clausa (53), Quercus 

myrtifolia (32), Quercus laevis (5), Osmanthus 

americanus (5), Quercus geminata (4), Quercus

chapmanii (1)

Standing dead trees: 10% of stems

Trees w/ boles snapped off: 3% of stems

Crown closure: 35%

Understory (% cover): Quercus myrtifolia (31), Serenoa 

repens (22), Aristida spp. (8), Nolina atopocarpa (5),

Quercus chapmanii (2), Quercus geminata (1), 

Vaccinium spp. (1), Quercus laevis (1), Ilex spp. (1), 

Forb spp. (t)

Seedlings (% of stems): Osmanthus americanus (60), Pinus 

clausa (40)

Density: 2,591/ac

Site location: N 28° 00’ 45.2” W 80° 35’ 49.1”

Elev: 21 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Association: Longleaf Pine/Saw Palmetto Flatwoods

SAF cover type: Sand Pine

Time since hurricane: 2.5 years

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION
ACPH 07 ATLANTIC COAST POST-HURRICANE FUELS 53

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

2 in 2 - 4 in 4 - 9 in > 9 in > 4 in

Most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Pinus 

clausa (49/3)

Pinus 

clausa (29/6)

Pinus 

clausa (67/16)

Pinus 

clausa (0/100)

Pinus 

clausa (40/50)

Second most common species

(percentage of stems: live/dead)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (38/2)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (24/0)

Quercus 

laevis (17/0) --

Quercus 

laevis (10/0)

Tree density (stems/ac) 455 123 43 29 72

 Live 433 116 36 0 36

 Dead 22 7 7 29 36

Avg DBH (in) 0.9 2.9 5.2 17.0 9.9

 Live 0.9 3.0 5.2 -- 5.2

 Dead 0.9 2.5 5.2 17.0 14.7

Avg height (ft) 9.5 16.8 30.5 29.0 29.9

 Live 9.5 17.4 34.8 -- 34.8

 Dead 10.0 6.7 8.8 29.0 25.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) 3.6 7.5 18.8 -- 18.8

 Live 3.6 7.5 18.8 -- 18.8

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 3.9 7.7 21.2 -- 21.2

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.13 0.36 0.44 0.00 0.44

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 1.0 -- 1.0 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 3.9 -- 3.9 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 4.7 -- 4.7 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 5.8 2.7 8.5 199 60 259

> 9.0 26.7 1.6 28.3 148 9 157

Total 42.1 4.3 46.4 347 69 416

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common species 

(% cover)

Quercus 

myrtifolia (31) --

Aristida 

spp. (8)

Second most common 

species (% cover)

Serenoa 

repens (22) --

Nolina 

atopocarpa (5)

Coverage (percent) 59 trace 13

Avg height (ft) 3.6 1.0 0.9

Biomass (lbs/ac) 9,472 trace 247
Vihnanek, Robert E.; Balog, Cameron S.; Wright, Clinton S.; Ottmar, Roger D.; Kelly, Jeffrey W. 2009. 

Stereo photo series for quantifying natural fuels. Volume XII: Post-hurricane fuels in forests of the Southeast 

United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-803. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Pacific Northwest Research Station. 53 p.

Two series of single and stereo photographs display a range of natural conditions and fuel loadings in posthurricane forests in the southeastern United States. Each group of photos includes inventory information 

summarizing vegetation composition, structure and loading, woody material loading and density by size class, 

forest floor loading, and various site characteristics. The natural fuels photo series is designed to help land 

managers appraise fuel and vegetation conditions in natural settings.

Keywords: Woody material, biomass, fuel loading, natural fuels, hurricane, wind damage, blowdown, sand hill, 

sand pine scrub, longleaf pine, Pinus palustris, loblolly pine, Pinus taeda, sand pine, Pinus clausa, shortleaf 

pine, Pinus echinata, slash pine, Pinus elliottii.