Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative(802) 656-0683femc@uvm.eduwww.uvm.edu/femc705 Spear StreetSouth BurlingtonVermont05403United States of AmericaForest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative (FEMC) leadVermont Forest Parks and Recreation partnerVermont Forest Health MonitoringThe Forest Health Monitoring Program was established in 1991 as a joint effort between the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) and the Vermont Monitoring Cooperative (VMC) (as of March 2017 renamed to Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative (FEMC)) to monitor the condition of a range of tree species in Vermont. Plot design follows the structure set by the National Forest Health Monitoring Program with additional metrics added to reflect improvements in monitoring technologies and additions to monitoring objectives.Vermont Forest Health MonitoringJohnsonMichaelSimmonsTomWilmotSandraPetersonFlorenceLackeyJayWellsRonGreenoughBradLundLarsBartonBerniePontiusJenniferKosibaAlexandraDuncanJamesGudex-CrossDavidMurrayHelenaWilliardKatlynSandbachChristineTruongJohnCarrKirstiGurvichDianaRossellBeccaDraytonCarolineRomakerElizabethHammKelseyPerrinMikeUpdikeSawyerRotellaStephenWardDanielleRobertson Josephine DesideraggioGenelong term monitoringforest healthcontinuous forest inventory forest regenerationforest compositionforest health monitoringTree Health and Physiology Measurements1992-01-012021-12-31Measurements of a wide range of tree characteristics, including height, diameter, crown condition, health indicators and othersQuantify and track changes in forest health over timeZ0017_TreeVMC.17.414mySQLPontius, J., and S. Wilmot. 2017. Tree Health and Physiology Measurements. FEMC. Can be found at: https://www.uvm.edu/femc/data/archive/project/forest-health-monitoring/peoplehttps://www.uvm.edu/femc/CI4/data/archive/project/forest-health-monitoring/dataset/tree-health-and-physiology-measurementsPlotIDPlot IdentificationUnique plot identifiertextLBA1400ACenter of LBA1400A PlotLBA1400BCenter of LBA1400B PlotLBA2300ACenter of LBA2300A PlotLBA2300BCenter of LBA2300B PlotLBA2300CCenter of LBA2300C PlotMMBR1400Center of MMBR1400 PlotMMBR2200Center of MMBR2200 PlotMMBR3000Center of MMBR3000 PlotMMBR3800ACenter of MMBR3800A PlotMMBR3800BCenter of MMBR3800B PlotMMRB1400ACenter of MMRB1400A PlotMMRB1400BCenter of MMRB1400B PlotMMRB2200ACenter of MMRB2200A PlotMMRB2200BCenter of MMRB2200B PlotMMRB3000ACenter of MMRB3000A PlotMMRB3000BCenter of MMRB3000B PlotMMSB1400Center of MMSB1400 PlotMMSB2200Center of MMSB2200 PlotMMSB3000Center of MMSB3000 PlotVMC245Center of VMC245 PlotVMC495Center of VMC495 PlotYearYearYear of data collectiondateYYYYSubplotIDSubplot identificationUnique subplot identifierint1center subplot2north3southeast4southwestTreeIDTree IdentificationUnique tree identification numberintTreeStatusTree Status CodeLive/dead status of the tree (not used after 2014)int1Live2Dead8Dead and down9Missing or not recordedDBH_TraditionalDiameter at Breast Height Diameter at breast height using traditional methoddecimalcentimeter0.1realDBH_ModifiedDiameter at Breast Height ModifiedDiameter at breast height measured at painted band on tree ensuring same location for future measurementdecimalcentimeter0.001realDBH_DendrobandDiameter at Breast Height DendrobandDiameter at breast height using a dendroband installed on treedecimalcentimeter0.001realCrownClassCrown ClassPosition of the crown relative to neighboring treesint1open growth2dominant3codominant4intermediate5suppressed/ overtoppedTotalLengthTotal LengthTree height including dead or broken topdecimalmeter0.01realActualLengthActual LengthTree height to top of live crowndecimalmeter0.01realCrownBaseHeightCrown Base HeightHeight from ground to base of tree crowndecimalmeter0.01realHeightMethodHeight Measurement MethodThe method used to measure heights - visual, clinometer, hypsometertextVigorTree Vigor CodeCoded tree vigor ratingint1Healthy2Light decline3 moderate decline4 Severe decline5Dead, natural6Dead, human caused8Dead and downDiebackCrown DiebackCode representing the percentage of the live crown area including the dieback area intTransparencyCrown TransparencyFoliage transparency indicator classintDefoliationDefoliation ClassCrown defoliation classint0None to trace1less than 30% of crown 231 to 60% defoliated3more than 60% defoliationSpecialDamage1Special damage 1Code for special damage 1 (code undefined)int101balsam wooly adelgid102white pine weevil103hemlock wooly adelgid104beech bark scale only105beech bark nectria only106both beech scale and nectria107southern pine beetle108sugar maple borer109other borers110other bark beetles111defoliation > 20%201butternut canker202nectria canker (not on beech)203eutypella canker204hypoxylon canker206European larch canker207other canker208conks209dwarf mistletoe210white pine blister rust441animal browse444beaver damage445porcupine damage446sapsucker damage447other animal damage501wind thrown/ uprooted504brooming505other weather damage702logging damage ( > 20% of circumference)DiscolorationDiscoloration CodeCode for discoloration classint0None to trace1less than 30% of crown 231 to 60% discolored3more than 60% discoloredNotesNotes (observations/clarifications)Notes by text or special damage codetextUncompactedCrownRatioUncompacted Crown RatioLive crown ratio is the percentage of total tree height supporting live foliage that is contributingintSaplingVigorSampling VigorCoded sapling vigor ratingint1healthy2moderate decline3poor healthCrownDensityCrown DensityAverage of crown density indicator for each plot (%)intLocationofDamage1Location of Damage 1Code for location of damage 1int0none1roots and stump2roots, stump and lower bole3lower bole4lower and upper bole5upper bole6crownstem7branches8buds and shoots9foliageDamage1Damage 1Code for damage 1int1Canker, gall2conks, fruiting bodies, and signs of advanced decay3open wounds4resinosis or gummosis5cracks and seams11broken bole or roots12brooms on roots or bole13broken or dad roots20vines in the crown21loss of apical dominance,dead terminal22broken or dead (branches)23excessive branching or brooms within the live crown area24damaged buds, foliage or shoots25discoloration of foliage31otherSeverityofDamage1Severity of Damage 1Code (0-9) for severity of damage 1int0none220-29%330-39%440-49%550-59%660-69%770-79%880-89%990-99%LocationofDamage2Location of Damage 2Code for location of damage 2int0none1roots and stump2roots, stump and lower bole3lower bole4lower and upper bole5upper bole6crownstem7branches8buds and shoots9foliageDamage2Damage 2Code for damage 2int1Canker, gall2conks, fruiting bodies, and signs of advanced decay3open wounds4resinosis or gummosis5cracks and seams11broken bole or roots12brooms on roots or bole13broken or dad roots20vines in the crown21loss of apical dominance,dead terminal22broken or dead (branches)23excessive branching or brooms within the live crown area24damaged buds, foliage or shoots25discoloration of foliage31otherSeverityofDamage2Severity of Damage 2Code for severity of damage 2int0none220-29%330-39%440-49%550-59%660-69%770-79%880-89%990-99%LocationofDamage3Location of Damage 3Code for location of damage 3int0none1roots and stump2roots, stump and lower bole3lower bole4lower and upper bole5upper bole6crownstem7branches8buds and shoots9foliageDamage3Damage 3Code for damage 3int1Canker, gall2conks, fruiting bodies, and signs of advanced decay3open wounds4resinosis or gummosis5cracks and seams11broken bole or roots12brooms on roots or bole13broken or dad roots20vines in the crown21loss of apical dominance,dead terminal22broken or dead (branches)23excessive branching or brooms within the live crown area24damaged buds, foliage or shoots25discoloration of foliage31otherSeverityofDamage3Severity of Damage 3Code for severity of damage 3int0none220-29%330-39%440-49%550-59%660-69%770-79%880-89%990-99%CauseofDeathCause of DeathCode for cause of tree deathint10insect20disease30fire40animal50weather60vegetation (supression, vines)70unknown80human caused90physical (hit by fallen tree)CounterCounterRecord counterintTreeOrientationTree OrientationOrder of trees on each plot for use in data collectionintLeanAngleLean AngleLean angle codeint0standing (less than 45 degree lean)1down (more than 45 degree lean)LengthMethodLength MethodLength method codeint1total and actual length measured with instrument2total length visually estimated and actual length measured with an instrument)3total and actual length visually estimatedpctRottenMissingPercent Rotten / MissingPercent class volume of missing or rottenintDecayClassDecay ClassCoded decay classint1not decayed, limbs and branches all present2few limbs, no fine branches, top may be broken3limb stubs only, top broken4few or no stubs, top broken5no limbs or branches, top broken, less than 20 percent of bark remainingCompactedCrownRatioCompacted Crown RatioPortion of tree supporting live foliage as a percent of actual tree heightintCrownExposureCrown ExposureCrown exposure classint0the tree recieves no full light because it is shaded by trees, vines, or other vegetation; the tree has no crown by definition1the tree recieves full light from the top or one side2the tree recieves full light from the top and one side (or 2 sides without the top)3the tree recieves full light from the top and two sides (or 3 sides without the top)4the tree recieves full light from the top and three sides5the tree recieves full light from the top and 4 sidesCrownLightCrown LightCrown light classint0the tree recieves no full light because it is shaded by trees, vines, or other vegetation; the tree has no crown by definition1the tree recieves full light from the top or one side2the tree recieves full light from the top and one side (or 2 sides without the top)3the tree recieves full light from the top and two sides (or 3 sides without the top)4the tree recieves full light from the top and three sides5the tree recieves full light from the top and 4 sidesCrownPositionCrown PositionCrown position relative to forest canopyint1superstory2overstory3understory4open grownTreeHistoryTree HistoryTree history codeint1live2ingrowth on microplot3ingrowth on subplot4outgrowth5dead7cut9missedCrownDensity1992Crown Density 1992 and BeyondCrown density changed from plot average to individual tree coded density ratingintpercent1integer0no crown51-5 percent crown106-10 percent crown1511-15 percent crown2016-20 percent crown2521-25 percent crown3026-30 percent crown3531-35 percent crown4046-40 percent crown4541-45 percent crown5046-50 percent crown5551-55 percent crown6056-60 percent crown6561-65 percent crown7066-70 percent crown7571-75 percent crown8076-80 percent crown8581-85 percent crown9086-90 percent crown9591-95 percent crown9996-100 percent crownCrownDiameter1Crown Diameter at 90 degreesCrown diameter at 90 degrees from first measureintmeter1integerCrownDiameter2Crown Diameter at Widest SideCrown diameter at widest sideintmeter1integerCauseofDamage1Cause of Damage 1Coded number for cause of damage 1int40Excessive branching (indicator of past injury such as top kill) (1992 only)41Abundance of seeds or cones (may cause dieback) (1992 only)42Stunted, dwarfed (woody stems only, short internodes, chlorotic dwarfs) (1992 only)60Defoliation (from insect feeding) (1992 only)61General discoloration (mixed colors; more than 30% of the crown with leaves having more than 50% of foliage affected) (1992 only)62Pale green foliage (more than 30% of the crown with leaves having more than 50% of foliage affected) (1992 only)63Yellow-green foliage (more than 30% of the crown with leaves having more than 50% of foliage affected) (1992 only)64Leaves spotted (more than 30% of crown with foliage having spotted leaves) (1992 only)65Damaged leaves (more than 30% of crown with foliage shredded, with holes, or otherwise mechanically damaged) (1992 only)66Distorted foliage (more than 30% of crown with wrinkled, shrivelled, galled or otherwise distorted leaves) (1992 only)67Stunted foliage (more than 30% of crown with stunted or dwarfed foliage, less than 1/2 normal leaf size) (1992 only)CauseofDamage2Cause of Damage 2Coded number for cause of damage 2int40Excessive branching (indicator of past injury such as top kill) (1992 only)41Abundance of seeds or cones (may cause dieback) (1992 only)42Stunted, dwarfed (woody stems only, short internodes, chlorotic dwarfs) (1992 only)60Defoliation (from insect feeding) (1992 only)61General discoloration (mixed colors; more than 30% of the crown with leaves having more than 50% of foliage affected) (1992 only)62Pale green foliage (more than 30% of the crown with leaves having more than 50% of foliage affected) (1992 only)63Yellow-green foliage (more than 30% of the crown with leaves having more than 50% of foliage affected) (1992 only)64Leaves spotted (more than 30% of crown with foliage having spotted leaves) (1992 only)65Damaged leaves (more than 30% of crown with foliage shredded, with holes, or otherwise mechanically damaged) (1992 only)66Distorted foliage (more than 30% of crown with wrinkled, shrivelled, galled or otherwise distorted leaves) (1992 only)67Stunted foliage (more than 30% of crown with stunted or dwarfed foliage, less than 1/2 normal leaf size) (1992 only)CauseofDamage3Cause of Damage 3Coded number for cause of damage 3int40Excessive branching (indicator of past injury such as top kill) (1992 only)41Abundance of seeds or cones (may cause dieback) (1992 only)42Stunted, dwarfed (woody stems only, short internodes, chlorotic dwarfs) (1992 only)60Defoliation (from insect feeding) (1992 only)61General discoloration (mixed colors; more than 30% of the crown with leaves having more than 50% of foliage affected) (1992 only)62Pale green foliage (more than 30% of the crown with leaves having more than 50% of foliage affected) (1992 only)63Yellow-green foliage (more than 30% of the crown with leaves having more than 50% of foliage affected) (1992 only)64Leaves spotted (more than 30% of crown with foliage having spotted leaves) (1992 only)65Damaged leaves (more than 30% of crown with foliage shredded, with holes, or otherwise mechanically damaged) (1992 only)66Distorted foliage (more than 30% of crown with wrinkled, shrivelled, galled or otherwise distorted leaves) (1992 only)67Stunted foliage (more than 30% of crown with stunted or dwarfed foliage, less than 1/2 normal leaf size) (1992 only)TreeHeightTree HeightTree heightintmeter1integerPreviousDBHPrevious Diameter Breast HeightPrevious collection of diameter at breast heightdecimalcentimeter0.1realDiamChkDiameter CheckCode for measurment accuracyint0Diameter measured accurately1diameter estimated2diameter measured at different location than previous measurment (remeasurment trees only)SpecialDamage2Special Damage 2Code for special damage 2 (code undefined)int101balsam wooly adelgid102white pine weevil103hemlock wooly adelgid104beech bark scale only105beech bark nectria only106both beech scale and nectria107southern pine beetle108sugar maple borer109other borers110other bark beetles111defoliation > 20%201butternut canker202nectria canker (not on beech)203eutypella canker204hypoxylon canker206European larch canker207other canker208conks209dwarf mistletoe210white pine blister rust441animal browse444beaver damage445porcupine damage446sapsucker damage447other animal damage501wind thrown/ uprooted504brooming505other weather damage702logging damage ( > 20% of circumference)SpecialDamage3Special Damage 3Code for special damage 3 (code undefined)int101balsam wooly adelgid102white pine weevil103hemlock wooly adelgid104beech bark scale only105beech bark nectria only106both beech scale and nectria107southern pine beetle108sugar maple borer109other borers110other bark beetles111defoliation > 20%201butternut canker202nectria canker (not on beech)203eutypella canker204hypoxylon canker206European larch canker207other canker208conks209dwarf mistletoe210white pine blister rust441animal browse444beaver damage445porcupine damage446sapsucker damage447other animal damage501wind thrown/ uprooted504brooming505other weather damage702logging damage ( > 20% of circumference)AspectAspectDirection plot facestextSeedConesSeed ConesUndefinedintCurrentConditionClassCurrent Condition ClassUndefinedintOldTreeHistoryOld Tree HistoryUndefinedint