Determination of the value and volume of timber on a given tract of land may include, but is not limited to,

• knowing the area of the forest or wooded land tract
• identifying and measuring the volume of a sample of trees
• adding the volume of all the softwood and hardwood trees separately within a given tract
• calculating the worth of a given forest tract based on given values
• using remote-sensing tools, such as LiDAR-derived stand volume models.

Process/Skill Questions:

• What tools are used to measure the volume of standing timber?
• What are the species and the volume of each standing tree?
• What are some sampling and measuring practices that can influence the accuracy of a partial timber cruise?
• How can topography affect one’s measurements?

Teacher Resource: VA FFA Forestry Contest (Value & Volume)