Forest Inventory Growth Plot: 2008Nick DemosthenesJordanne Woodbury

Alex Spies

Hypothesis• Our group hypothesized that the plot as a

whole would show minor growth from the previous year.

• Our group also hypothesized that previously damaged trees would be more damaged this year.

• The group lastly predicted that the satellite growth plots would show more shrubs and saplings than in previous years.

Background Information• A tree is defined as any perennial woody

plant.• Any landscape that has a dense population

of trees is classified as a forest.• Trees utilize many adaptations to survive

in Maine: thick bark for protection against weather, roots to store nutrients, and an intricate internal network to supply stored nutrients to the entire tree.

Purpose• The purpose of this data collection is

to track the growth of the trees in the plot over a long period of time.

• This information will help project the growth of the forest as a whole over the next several years.

Procedure• The group’s first step was to remark

areas where boundaries were unclear.

• The second step was to collect the data.

• The third step was to enter the data into the state database to be compared with other forests of Maine.

Balsa

m Fir

Beech

Hemloc

k

Red M

aple

Red Oak

Spruc

e

White B

irch

White P

ine0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Number of Trees by Species

200620072008

Species

Num

ber

of T

rees

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Average Tree Heights By Species

200620072008

Species

Aver

age

Hei

ght (

Feet

)

Balsa

m Fir

Beech

Hemloc

k

Red M

aple

Red Oak

Spruc

e

White B

irch

White P

ine0123456789

Average Tree DBH By Species

200620072008

Species

Aver

age

DBH

(Inc

hes)

North East South West0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Deciduous Seedlings in Satellite Plots

200620072008

Plot Location

Num

ber

of D

ecid

uous

See

dlin

gs

North East South West0

5

10

15

20

25

Coniferous Seedlings in Satellite Plot

200620072008

Plot Location

Num

ber

of C

onife

rous

See

dlin

gs

North East South West0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Deciduous Saplings in Satellite Plots

200620072008

Plot Location

Num

ber

of D

ecid

uous

Sap

lings

North East South West0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Coniferous Saplings in Satellite Plot

200620072008

Plot Location

Num

ber

of C

onife

rous

Sap

lings

Conclusions• Most of the trees either grew or

maintained their heights from last year.

• The same trend continued in the DBH’s.

• This is not the case with trees that are dead or have great amounts of damage. These heights and DBH’s stay the same or sometimes decrease due to decomposition over time.

Works Consulted• "Tremendous Trees Background Information." Nature Next Door.

Cincinnati Parks. 12 Nov 2008 <http://www.naturene xtdoor.org/htm%20pages/treesbackground.htm>.

•  • "Tree Care Information." Trees Are Good. International Society of

Arboriculture. 12 Nov 2008 <http://www.treesaregood.com/>•  • "American Beech." Appalation Mountain Club. Appalation

Mountain Club. 12 Nov 2008 <http://www.outdoors.org/conserv ation/mountainwatch/american-beech.cfm>.

•  • "Photo Gallery - Cathance River Preserve Nature Shots." Cathance

River Education Alliance. Cathance River Education Alliance. 12 Nov 2008 <http://creamaine.org/?page_id=65>.

Acknowledgements• Kevin Dorin• Ken Lauston• CREA• Mr. Evans