A cruising rod is a simple device used to quickly estimate the number of pieces of
lumber
Lumber is wood that has been processed into uniform and useful sizes (dimensional lumber), including beams and planks or boards. Lumber is mainly used for construction framing, as well as finishing (floors, wall panels, window frames). ...
yielded by a given piece of
timber
Lumber is wood that has been processed into uniform and useful sizes (dimensional lumber), including beams and planks or boards. Lumber is mainly used for construction framing, as well as finishing (floors, wall panels, window frames). ...
. Similarly to a
yardstick, it is a rod with markings. The estimation is carried out as follows. Standing at arm's length from the tree, estimate its average diameter by taking a note on the rod's markings. Walk away to see the whole tree; hold the rod upright at the distance from the eye at which the rod and the tree appear of the same diameter; the noted mark on the rod will show an approximate location of an log cut along the tree height.
Forest Stewardship Newsletter with Article on Cruising Rods
reprinted from the Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine newsletter, (''SWOAM News'', November 2001, Volume 26, Number 11)
See also
* Timber cruise
* Biltmore stick
References
External links
Dimensional instruments
Forest modelling
Forestry tools
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