For some cruises, underbrush information or snag count may be recorded, or any other information deemed necessary may be taken. Successive plots are found by following a compass line and pacing distance. The plot center is marked by hanging a plastic ribbon from a limb and poking a stick in the ground. These are temporary plots only used during the cruise. In another type of cruise, permanent plots may be set up.
Plots are circular with variable radii depending on tree size and are known as prism plots.
Trees are determined to be in or out of the plot by looking through an instrument in which the cruiser compares each trees dbh to a given scale. The instrument used to determine which trees are in a plot is generally a Relaskop or a prism calibrated to a specific scale. If the tree's dbh is larger than the scale being used, then it is considered to be in the plot and should be recorded. There should ideally be 6-8 trees on a plot and different scales can be used to obtain this, though the scale being used must remain the same for every plot in a given stand. The timber cruiser may also need an increment borer which allows the cruiser to take a sample of a tree to allow age determination, rain gear, caulk boots, and lunch.