{"id":854,"date":"2025-05-27T19:57:20","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T19:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/southcoastfieldforest\/?p=854"},"modified":"2025-05-27T19:57:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T19:57:20","slug":"writing-a-forest-management-plan-describing-stand-characteristics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/southcoastfieldforest\/2025\/05\/27\/writing-a-forest-management-plan-describing-stand-characteristics\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing a Forest Management Plan: Describing Stand Characteristics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Norma Kline, Oregon State University Extension Forester for Coos and Curry Counties<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the fifth article in the Writing a Forest Management Plan<\/em> series. The objective of this series is to simplify the process of writing a forest management plan, making it accessible and straightforward regardless of your prior skills and knowledge. If you already have a management plan, use these steps to review and update it.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Figure 1. Example of a stand with snags, down wood and understory vegetation. Photo by Norma Kline@OSU<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The earlier articles cover generating basic property information and maps for your forest management plan using web-based mapping resources. They also discuss mapping forest cover (stands) by stand age and species and taking simple plot measurements. This information can be used to provide key summary information for the \u201cCurrent Stand & Forest Health Conditions\u201d section of your plan. The links to the first four topics can be found at the end of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will describe additional information needed to complete the \u201cStand Characteristics Table\u201d, including details on a stand\u2019s growth stage, spacing, vertical structure (layers), and forest health observations. We will use the forest stand referenced in the previous articles as an example. Previously, we discussed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stand Characteristics Table<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Stand Characteristics Table includes fields to describe Growth Stage<\/strong>, Spacing<\/strong>, and Canopy<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Growth Stage<\/strong>: This indicates the developmental stage of trees, ranging from seedlings (less than 4.5 feet in height) to saplings (1\u20135 inches DBH), small trees (6\u201311 inches DBH), large trees (12\u201329 inches DBH), and very large trees (30 inches or more DBH). Based on our plot data (referenced in articles 3 and 4), the growth stage of our example stand ranges from small to large trees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Spacing<\/strong>: Spacing describes the horizontal structure of a stand. Are the trees evenly spaced (planted in systematic rows), or are they clustered in dense patches with wide spacing or openings? If you measured the distance between trees during your fixed plot inventory, summarize that data here. In our example, the trees are evenly spaced (16\u201317 feet apart).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Canopy<\/strong>: Canopy refers to the horizontal structure based on whether the tree crowns are “Open” (not touching), “Closed” (touching), or “Variable” (a combination). An open canopy might characterize a young stand in early growth stages or a mature stand with few trees per acre. In our example, the stand has evenly spaced trees with a closed canopy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The table includes fields for Primary<\/strong>, Second<\/strong>, and Third<\/strong> Layers<\/strong>. Not all stands have multiple layers. In our example, the stand\u2014planted after a clearcut\u2014has one main layer. If multiple layers are present, record data in your inventory notes. For example, a stand may have a primary layer of large conifers (24\u201340 inches in diameter) and a secondary layer of shade-tolerant species such as western hemlock (around 10 inches in diameter). You can calculate the trees per acre for additional layers based on fixed plot data or provide a general estimate with a description of their distribution (e.g., uniform, variable, or filling openings).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Age may be challenging to determine for additional layers, as small, suppressed trees can be the same age as dominant trees. However, you may know the age if you planted the stand or have records of disturbance events that facilitated seedling germination.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Figure 2. Invasive plants. Photo by Lynn Ketchum@OSU<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Additional Observations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n