Registrations for forestry class due Nov. 29

Good decisions require good information on a forest; whether determining how much to thin or what species, preparing for a timber sale, or managing for other values. Some forest owners like to make these decisions intuitively, but careful measurements can often illuminate misconceptions about a forest developed from casual observations.

A University of Idaho Extension program titled “Measuring Your Trees” is designed to give forest owners a basic understanding of forest measurements. It also will help them collect some of their own data and strengthen their interactions with professional foresters and technicians regarding data-based forest management decisions.

The morning will be spent indoors focusing on priciples guiding measurement of trees and forests. The afternoon will be spent outdoors measuring a variety of forest characteristics using clinometers, diameter tapes, angle gauges and other forest measurement tools.

“Measuring Your Trees” will be held in Coeur d’Alene from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, beginning at the UI Extension office in Kootenai County (located at 1808 North 3rd Street in Coeur d’Alene). The program can accommodate up to 30 people. Participants should pre-register by Tuesday, Nov. 29, in order to hold their space. Registration forms are available at local University of Idaho Extension offices or can be downloaded at: http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry. A $20 registration fee covers the cost of a field notebook as well as refreshments.

“Measuring Your Trees” is an Idaho Forest Stewardship program. It is co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension, the Idaho Department of Lands, and many other agencies and organizations. For other questions on the program, contact Chris Schnepf at (208) 446-1680.