Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research

Slide 2 of 8

Presentation: New Hardwood Tree Classification System
Author(s): Steve Meadows

Slide Notes...

The first component of our new tree classification system consists of five classes used only for sawtimber-sized trees. The most valuable trees in the stand are designated as Preferred Growing Stock. This class is limited to trees of desirable species. It is characterized by upper-crown-class trees that are in excellent condition and contain high-quality boles. These trees are expected to remain in excellent condition to the end of the rotation with very low risk of mortality or degrade in merchantability. They are expected to continue to increase in value over time. This cherrybark oak is an excellent example of a Preferred Growing Stock tree. Cherrybark oak is a desirable species for most management objectives. This tree has a dominant crown, is in excellent condition and is expected to remain so indefinitely, and exhibits outstanding bole quality. We certainly expect this tree to increase in value over time, with little or no risk to future merchantability.

New Hardwood Tree Classification System

Steve Meadows and Danny Skojac