Glossary of Forestry Terms

An area of land measuring 43,560 square feet. A square 1-acre plot measures 209 feet by 209 feet; a circular acre has a radius of 117.75 feet.

(a) Sensitivity to or appreciation of the forest’s beauty through recognition of its unique and varied components. (b) Beauty through an orderly appearance.

The establishment of a stand of trees or forest in an area where there was no previous tree cover.

The practice of managing a forest by periodically selecting and harvesting individual trees or groups of trees from the stand while preserving its natural appearance. Most common in hardwood forests.

A forest stand composed of trees of different ages and sizes.

Any of a class of vertebrates that regulate their body temperature externally; lay shell-less eggs in wet areas; live in water during early development and live both in water and on land as adults; and use lungs, gills and their skin for breathing. Most have four legs and smooth, moist skin without scales.

Woodland which has been in continuous existence since 1600 (1750 in Scotland).

A plant that has true flowers and bears its seeds in fruits. In temperate zones, many angiosperms are deciduous trees, while in tropical zones, many are evergreen trees. Examples include oaks, willows, maples and birches.

A plant that lives or grows for only one year or one growing season.

The combination of one earlywood layer (light colored) and one latewood layer (dark colored) seen in a cross-section of a tree. One annual ring usually represents one year of growth.

A mixture of soybean, millet, cow pea, sorghum, lespedeza, buckwheat, and other seeds from which single-season plants are grown to serve as food or protective cover for wildlife. Some mixtures reseed naturally, while others require reseeding, light disking, and fertilization.

A botanical garden devoted to trees.

The growth of new trees through seeding and planting.

Anything of value that can be converted into cash. Assets can be classified as either short- term or long-term assets. A short-term asset is expected to be consumed within one year, while long-term assets are to be consumed in more than one year.

Status for a Woodland Carbon Code project or group that is undergoing assessment by a certification body.

A project that is financially viable, meaning that it generates an acceptable risk-return on investment. If investors assess the bankability of the project to be acceptable, then the required capital for the project will be provided. The bankability of a project is established already during the phase of project development, laying out the revenue generating activities and an optimal risk- sharing model.

The tough exterior covering of a woody root or stem that protects the tree from injury caused by insects and other animals, by other plants, by disease and by fire.

(a) The cross-sectional area (in square feet) of a tree trunk at breast height (4.5 feet above the ground). For example, the basal area of a tree that measures 14 inches in diameter at breast height is about 1 square foot. (b) The sum basal areas of the individual trees within 1 acre of forest. For example, a well-stocked pine stand might have a basal area of 80 to 120 square feet per acre.

Land prepared before planting in the form of small mounds. The prepared land concentrates topsoil and elevates the root zone of seedlings above temporary standing water. Fertilizer is often incorporated into the bedding.

Procedures employed during harvesting and/or timber stand improvement activities that reduce erosion and prevent or control water pollution.

Management practices that maintain and improve the environmental values of forests associated with soils, water, and biological diversity; primarily used for the protection of water quality. These practices are often used during and following harvesting of timber.

A stick similar to a yardstick in appearance, but usually about 25 inches long. One side is scaled to read a tree’s diameter by holding the stick horizontally at arm’s length and against the tree at breast height. A Merritt hypsometer runs along one edge of the stick and is scaled to read a tree’s height from 66 feet away from the tree’s base. These two measurements are then used to find the tree’s volume according to the volume table printed on one face of the stick.

The variety of life forms in a given area; can be categorized in terms of number of species, variety of plant and animal communities, genetic variability or some combination of these categories.

Energy from any fuel that is derived from biomass.

Renewable energy produced from organic matter that is used directly as fuel or has been converted into liquids or gasses for use as a fuel.

The variety of life forms in a given area. Diversity can be categorized in terms of the number of species, the variety in the area’s plant and animal communities, the genetic variability of the animals, or a combination of these elements.

Any organic matter, including forest and mill residues. Forest biomass is usually obtained through in-woods chipping of all or some portion of trees, to include tops and limbs, for energy production.

A set of precautions that aim to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful organisms. These may be pests, pathogens or invasive species.

Any of a class of vertebrates that regulate their body temperature internally, have bodies that are covered almost entirely with feathers and have forelimbs modified as wings that enable most to fly.

An area of land or timber that has been defined for management purposes. One block may be composed of stands of different species or ages.

A unit of measure equal to a board that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches long and 12 inches wide, or 144 cubic inches.

A unit of wood measuring 144 cubic inches. A 1-inch by 12-inch shelving board that is 1 foot long is equal to 1 board foot. Board foot volume is determined by: [(length (feet) x width (inches) x thickness (inches)) ÷ 12]

The main trunk of a tree.

A fixed income instrument that represents a loan made by an investor to a borrower (typically corporate or governmental).

The sub-Arctic forest of the high northern latitudes that surrounds the North Pole and is mainly composed of coniferous trees.

Branch wood and leaf material that is generally too small in diameter to be considered part of the timber product from a harvesting site.

Similar to wood pellets (see below) but larger, briquettes are made from compressed wood fibres and used for heating.

A class of trees that have broad, flat leaves of many different shapes; most are deciduous; also called hardwood because most broad-leaved trees have harder wood than do conifers. Examples include oak, hickory, maple and ash.

Trees that do not have needles or cones, such as oak, birch and beech. A few, such as alder, have cone-like structures for their seeds which are not true cones.

A harvesting function of cutting a felled tree into shorter lengths.

See riparian buffer rules.

A narrow zone or strip of land, trees, or vegetation bordering an area. Common examples include visual buffers, which screen the view along roads, and streamside buffers, which are used to protect water quality. Buffers may also be used to prevent the spread of forest pests.

Through a Build-Operate-Transfer model a public entity gives a concession to a private company to build and operate a project for a set time period (usually 20 or 30 years). After this period, control of the project is returned to the public entity.

See skidder.

A thin layer of specialized cells within a tree’s trunk that divide to produce new inner bark cells to the outside and new sapwood cells to the inside. The narrow band of cells that is responsible for the tree’s growth in circumference.

The “roof” of the forest formed by the crowns of the tallest trees.

A layer or multiple layers of branches and foliage at the top or crown of a forest’s trees.

CAPEX are capital expenditures to buy, maintain, or improve its fixed assets. CAPEX includes purchasing new assets or using money to extend the life of an existing asset.

Profit on the sale of an asset such as timber, land, or other property. Reporting timber sales as capital gains provides certain tax advantages over reporting revenues as ordinary income.

In this context carbon credits are defined as tradable certificates that provides companies the right to emit one ton of carbon dioxide per credit. Carbon credits can be traded on carbon markets, generating financial returns.

Process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere — trees, grasses, and other plants uptake carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and store it in biomass.

A forest, ocean, or other natural environment viewed in terms of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The maximum number of healthy wildlife that a given habitat or area can support without degradation of the habitat.

The net amount of cash and cash-equivalents being transferred into and out of a business. Positive cashflow enables a company to settle debts, reinvest in its business and redistribute money to shareholders.

The scientific name for wood fiber.

Sheet material manufactured under pressure, based on wood and other vegetable particles bound with hydraulic cement and possibly containing additives.

To meet a set of agreed upon standards that address social, economic, and environmental considerations that promote sustainable forestry. Three common forest certification programs in the United States are Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and American Tree Farm System.

A distance of 66 feet.

The supply chain wood follows from the forest to the consumer, to include processing, manufacturing, storage, and distribution links. With a chain of custody certificate, the wood or fiber used in a product can be traced back along the chain of custody to a certified forest.

A cutting method used in cutting lumber from trees that measure between 6 and 14 inches diameter at breast height. The process chips off the rounded outer layer of a log before sawing the remaining cant or rectangular inside section into lumber. Chip-n-saw mills provide a market for trees larger than pulpwood and smaller than sawtimber.

(see Particleboard).

A harvesting and regeneration method that removes all trees within a given area. Clear-cutting is most commonly used in pine and hardwood forests, which require full sunlight to regenerate and grow efficiently.

A harvesting and regeneration method that removes all trees within a given area. Most commonly used in pine and hardwood forests that require full sunlight to regenerate and grow efficiently.

Sites where all trees have been felled at once. In non-clearfell areas, only some trees are felled at any one time.

An instrument that is held at eye level to read stump height and merchantable or total height when standing 50 and 66 feet from the base of the tree. The difference between the two readings yields the height.

A sampling technique where the entire population is divided into groups, or clusters, and a random sample of these clusters is selected. All (or a selection of) observations in the selected clusters are included in the sample. Cluster sampling is often used when a random sample would produce a list of subjects so widely scattered that surveying them would prove to be far too expensive.

Collateral is an asset that a lender accepts as security for extending a loan. If the borrower defaults on the loan payments, the lender may seize the collateral and sell it to recoup some or all of his losses.

The struggle between trees to obtain sunlight, nutrients, water, and growing space. Every part of the tree—from the roots to the crown—competes for space and food.

An estimated range of values that is likely to include an unknown population parameter (i.e. a fixed value for the population as a whole). The confidence interval around an estimate is derived from the sample data, and is used to indicate the reliability of the estimate.

Confederation of Forest Industries.

A class of trees that are evergreen, have needle or scalelike foliage and conelike fruit; often called softwood. Examples include pine, hemlock, cedar and cypress.

Trees with needles and cones, such as spruce, pine and larch.

The protection, improvement, and wise use of natural resources for present and future generations.

A voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust, or government agency, that limits the use of the property in order to protect the conservation values of the land.

An independent trained professional forester working for a company that provides services to the general public on a fee or contractual basis.

See prescribed burn.

Numerical factor by which a quantity that is expressed in one set of units must be multiplied in order to convert it into another set of units.

This loan gives the debtholder the possibility to exchange all or a portion of the loan principal for equity. This exchange happens at a predetermined conversion rate within a set period.

Trees that are cut near ground level (or sometimes higher, in which case they are called pollards), causing them to produce many small shoots. These shoots are harvested every few years at a relatively early age for products such as staves, fencing, fuel and charcoal. “Coppice with standards” includes scattered trees that are left to grow as normal (“standards”).

A standard unit of measure equivalent to 128 cubic feet of round or split wood. A standard cord measures 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet. A face cord or short cord is 4 feet by 8 feet by any length of wood under 4 feet.

A stack of round or split wood consisting of 128 cubic feet of wood, bark, and air space. A standard cord measures 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet. A face cord or short cord is 4 feet by 8 feet by any length of wood under 4 feet.

An assistance program offered by various state and federal agencies that pays a fixed rate or percentage of the total cost necessary to implement some forestry or agricultural practice.

(a) Any plant that intercepts rain drops before they reach the soil or that holds soil in place. (b) A hiding place or vegetative shelter for wildlife from predators or inclement weather.

Credit enhancements refer to improving credit risk of a company by providing reassurance to a lender.

Any tree selected to grow to final harvest or to a selected size. Crop trees are selected for quality, species, size, timber potential, or wildlife value.

A large-scale, prefabricated, solid engineered wood panel consisting of several layers of kiln-dried lumber boards stacked in alternating directions, bonded with glue, and pressed to form a solid, straight, rectangular panel.

The branches and foliage at the top of a tree.

A tree classification system based on the tree’s relative height, foliage density, and ability to intercept light. Crown-class measures past growth performance and calls attention to crop trees that could benefit from future thinning and harvest operations. There are four classifications: Dominant Trees — Larger-than-average trees with broad, well-developed crowns. These trees receive direct sunlight from all sides and above. Codominant Trees — Average-to-fairly large trees with medium-sized crowns that form the forest canopy. These trees receive full light from above but are crowded on the sides. Intermediate Trees — Medium-sized trees with small crowns below the general level of the canopy. Intermediate trees receive little direct light, are poor crop trees, and should be removed during thinning operations. Suppressed or Overtopped Trees — Small trees that grow below the tree canopy and receive no direct sunlight from any direction.

A survey of forestland to locate timber and estimate its quantity by species, products, size, quality, or other characteristics.

A tree or log of marketable size that is useless for all but firewood or pulpwood because of crookedness, rot, injuries, or damage from disease or insects.

A written, legally binding document used in the sale of standing timber. The contract specifies the provisions covering the expectations and desires of both buyer and seller.

The planned time interval between major harvesting operations within the same stand—usually within uneven-aged stands. For example, on a 10-year cutting cycle in a hardwood stand, trees are harvested every 10 years.

A practice in which trees shading an access road are removed to increase the sunlight on the roadway and along its periphery. This relatively inexpensive practice maximizes forest edge and cover for wildlife and maintains passable roads year-round.

Non-living woody biomass not contained in the litter, either standing or lying on the ground. For wood carbon reporting, the minimum was 15 cm diameter for standing and lying deadwood, and 7 cm dbh (diameter at breast height) for fallen trees.

A group of trees that lose all of their leaves every year.

The process by which organic material such as leaves and branches are broken down by bacteria, fungi, protozoans and the many different kinds of animals that live in the soil.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

A mobile machine with flailing chains or knives used in the harvesting process to remove the limbs from trees.

The quantities of UK-grown roundwood that are delivered to processors (mills) or for other uses (such as woodfuel and exports). Note that for sawmills and round fencing mills, the deliveries figure reported is actually the quantity of roundwood consumed by the mill, which may differ from the true deliveries figure if the levels of input stocks vary.

The study of trees; tree identification.

DBOOT is a public-private partnership model in which a private company conducts a large development project under contract to a public-sector partner. It is a variation on the BOT model and differences in the fact that the contractor also designs and owns the project during the project period.

Tree diameter measured at 4.5 feet above ground level.

The diameter of a tree measured in inches at breast height—a standard 4.5 feet above the ground.

A steel measuring tape that has a scale calibrated to read a tree’s diameter when wrapped around the tree’s circumference.

A selection method in which all marketable trees above a specified diameter are harvested. Diameter-limit cutting can lead to long-term degradation of the stand.

(a) Sowing seed for broad coverage from the air or on the ground. (b) Seeding of forest stands, roadways, or specified plots for wildlife.

Timber that is sold after the trees have been felled by the woodland owner or their contractors.

Cashflow in the future does not equal today’s cashflow due to uncertainty in projections and because cash today is expected to be worth more tomorrow when it produces an interest or Return On Investment. Reversely, that means that cash in the future has a lower value in the present. The discount rate refers to the rate that is used to discount future cashflow in order to compensate for these risks and determine its present value. A high discount rate refers to greater uncertainty, lowering the present value of future cashflow.

A dividend is a token reward paid to shareholders for their investment in a company’s equity. It usually originates from the company’s net profits.

A site preparation technique in which logging debris is leveled by a bulldozer pulling a large drum filled with water. Chopped areas are often burned to further reduce debris and control sprouting before seedlings are planted.

Wood cells produced at the beginning of a tree’s growing season that are generally light in color. Also called springwood.

The gradual change of plant and animal communities over time.

The science or study of the relationships between organisms and their environment.

A biological community of living organisms and nonliving components such as air, water and mineral soil that interact. An ecosystem can be of any size — e.g., log, field, pond, woodlot, or Earth’s biosphere. See ecosystem services.

Benefits people obtain from the goods and services produced by an ecosystem — e.g., water and air purification, nutrient recycling, recreation, biomass for fuel. See ecosystem.

The transition between two different types or ages of vegetation.

A species is endangered when the total number of remaining members may not be sufficient to reproduce enough offspring to ensure survival of the species. A threatened species exhibits declining or dangerously low populations but still has enough members to maintain or increase numbers.

Any species that has been classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or a state wildlife agency as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A species is endangered when the total number of remaining members may not be sufficient to reproduce enough offspring to ensure survival of the species.

A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.

An endowment fund is an investment fund that is established by a foundation that makes consistent withdrawals from invested capital. Endowment funds are typically funded entirely by donations and are structured in a way that the principal amount invested remains intact while investment income can be provided for immediate funding in order to keep a non- profit company operating efficiently.

The sum of all external living and non-living conditions and influences that affect the development and survival of an organism.

The interaction of climate, soil, topography, and other plants and animals in any given area. An organism’s environment influences its form, behavior, and survival.

The wearing away or removal of land or soil by the action of wind, water, ice or gravity.

The wearing away of land or soil by the action of wind, water, or ice.

Environmental, social and Governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that responsible investors use to evaluate companies in which they might want to invest.

The first five to ten years or formative period that ends once young trees are of sufficient size that, given adequate protection, they are likely to survive at the required stocking.

European Union. It currently comprises 28 member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

The statistical office of the European Union, situated in Luxembourg. Its task is to provide the European Union with statistics at European level that enable comparisons between countries and regions.

The evaporation of water from the soil and the transpiration of water from the plants that live in that soil. Approximately one-quarter of a forest’s annual rainfall returns to the air through evapotranspiration.

A forest management method in which all trees in an area are harvested at one time or in several cuttings over a short time to produce stands that are all the same age or nearly so. This management method is commonly applied to shade-intolerant conifers and hardwoods.

A group of trees that do not lose all of their leaves every year but go through a gradual replacement by dropping only their oldest leaves each year. Instead of being bare in winter, these trees have leaves all year.

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, responsible for the Forest Resources Assessment and for compiling international statistics on production and trade of wood products.

A machine used in the harvesting process that can cut a tree, hold it, and move to the next tree to cut. After one or more trees are cut, the machine places the trees in a small pile to be moved to a landing.

Panel material with thickness equal to or greater than 1.5mm, manufactured from lignocellulosic fibres with application of heat and/or pressure. The bond is derived either from the felting of the fibres and their inherent adhesive properties or from a synthetic binder added to the fibres.

Any nonflammable barrier used to slow or stop fires. Several types of firebreaks are mineral soil barriers; barriers of green, slow-burning vegetation; and mechanically cleared areas.

An investment that will suffer the first economic loss if the underlying assets lose value or are foreclosed on.

A versatile water control device used in the coastal plain to manage water movement. Water levels are physically altered to control fire and maintain beneficial soil characteristics to reduce soil oxidation and soil damage caused by heavy equipment

Planting trees directly into the ground without beds or, in some cases, without first moving logging debris.

The leaves of a tree or other plant.

Vegetation such as leaves, stems, buds, and some types of bark that can be eaten for food and energy.

Any herb other than grass.

Any herb other than grass.

In the United Kingdom, there is no formal definition of “forest”; the term is often used for large woodland areas (especially conifers) or for old Royal hunting preserves such as the New Forest or the Forest of Dean.

An ecosystem dominated by extensive tree cover, frequently consisting of stands of trees that are often characterized based on species, age, and size class. Forests are often categorized based on their purpose — e.g., urban forest, industrial forest, non-industrial private forest.

The means of conserving forests by promoting responsible forestry practices that address social, economic, and environmental considerations. Forests are evaluated according to an agreed upon set of standards and certified as being well managed by a qualified independent auditor (or certifier). Wood or wood products from those forests are then labeled so that consumers can identify them as being obtained from a sustainable forest. See certify.

The lowest level of the forest that is made up of tree seedlings, dead leaves and needles, grasses, ferns, flowers, fungi, and decaying plants and logs.