Descriptive statistics of tree crown condition in the Northeastern United States

KaDonna Randolph; Randall Morin; Jim Steinman

doi:10.2737/SRS-GTR-124

Treesearch

Descriptive statistics of tree crown condition in the Northeastern United States

Informally Refereed

Authors:

KaDonna Randolph, Randall Morin, Jim Steinman

Year:

2010

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Southern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/SRS-GTR-124

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–124. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 21 p.

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Download (PDF 2.72 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/35855.pdf

Abstract

The U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program uses visual assessments of tree crown condition to monitor changes and trends in forest health. This report describes four crown condition indicators (crown dieback, crown density, foliage transparency, and sapling crown vigor) measured in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia between 1996 and 1999. Descriptive statistics are presented by species and FIA species group. Inter- and intra-species variation, crown condition stressors, and statistical issues that should be considered when analyzing and interpreting the crown condition data are discussed.

Keywords

Crown density, crown dieback, FIA, foliage transparency, forest health, sapling vigor

Citation

Randolph, KaDonna C.; Morin, Randall S.; Steinman, Jim. 2010. Descriptive statistics of tree crown condition in the Northeastern United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–124. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 21 p.