Trees Per Acre

trouter · September 08, 2004, 07:24:16 AM

I'm sure this has been asked before but i could not find it anywhere. Is there a rule as to how many trees per acre there is. The area i am looking at is North Central PA.

Ron Scott · September 08, 2004, 07:53:36 AM

No special rule that I know of. Are you planting trees?? See the Tree Spacing Calculator in the "Forum Tool Box" off to the left.

The tree spacing depends upon your management objectives for the property and the species, size, etc.

beenthere · September 08, 2004, 08:03:05 AM

I doubt such a tree-per-acre 'rule' exists. So much would depend on the size of those trees, the stage of re-growth (young, or mature stand), and the prior management (or lack of) plan.

More specifics about the situation and how this 'rule' would be applied might help with a guiding answer.

There are methods of sampling a forest to get inventory information that you may be interested in applying to your situation. That would give you trees per acre in certain diameter classes by species, as well as timber volume.

(I wasn't thinking 'planting' as Ron mentioned, which very well may be your interest).

trouter · September 08, 2004, 08:36:35 AM

I was actually looking to buy some timber, and I thought I saw on here one time about a general rule for trees per acre. I have no dimensions on size of trees or anything basically just looking at land for sale and was trying to determine value of the timber on it. I know its a dumb idea !!!

Ron Scott · September 08, 2004, 11:33:15 AM

If you get serious about a piece of timber property, have a professional forester do a timber appraisal for you. Then you will know what values you are purchasing. It will also establish your timber "basis" for tax purposes should you have future timber harvests.

Having a good assessable and manageable site should also be important in any considerations.

SwampDonkey · September 09, 2004, 07:06:09 PM

trouter:

I know some people have tried the 'window in the pickup cruise', but as Ron S mentioned an appraissal will give you the density and volume of the woods your interested in. It should also take into account accessibility as Ron mentioned and boundary line conditions. Your appraissal will also be closer to the real numbers if your woodlot is segregrated into stands of similar species or species mix. Ya gotta get outta the pickup and go for a walk to measure the sample trees. ;)

Just as an example mature cedar stands up this way can have 3 times the density of mature hardwood.

cheers