| Frequently Asked Questions (or FAQ's) are provided for your assistance. If you have additional questions, send email to cruisesheet@nobleforestry.com.
Questions:
Answers:
What is a Form Class?
"Definition of Form Class: Form class is the percentage ration between the diameter, inside bark, at the top of the first 16-foot log and the diameter outside bark at breast-height (4½ feet above the ground). For example, a tree with a first-log scaling diameter of 16.0 inches and a breast-height diameter of 20.0 inches has a form class of (16 ) 20 X 100) 80 percent." Taken from Mesavage, C., J.W. Girard: Tables For Estimating Board-Foot Volume of Timber, USDA Forest Service
How do I uses a different form class for a species?
When you enter a value (70-85) into the "Alternate Form Class" column on the "Form Class" sheet, the default form class value is overridden. Other wise if you use an "Open Form Class" file, there are no defaults and you must specify each and every form class for all species used.
What volume tables are used in Cruise Sheet 1.2?
While Cruise Sheet 1.2 does give you the option of using custom tree volume tables for both pulpwood and sawtimber, it comes preset with adapted versions of the USFS Mesavage & Girard Form Class Tables (more commonly know as the Girard Form Class Tables). These tables provide the flexibility to use Cruise Sheet 1.2 with forests and timber in any region. For pulp volumes an adaptation of Gevorkiantz and Olsen's 1955 pulp volume table is used.
How do I get the free Adobe Reader to view the volume table used by Cruise Sheet 1.2?
The free Adobe Reader has been packaged as part of the Cruise Sheet 1.2 installation CD. Click here for instruction about installing the free Adobe Reader.
Can Cruise Sheet 1.2 handle multiple products on a single stem?
Yes! With Cruise Sheet 1.2, trees can be tallied for their sawlog portion, as well as their topwood pulp. Both measurement are simple entered for the single tree in the tree list.
In Cruise Sheet 1.2, are logs measured in 8-feet or 16-feet segments ?
The choice is left up to the user. This parameter is set on the "Form Class" sheet. It is very important that an allowable (8 or 16) is chosen. If an unallowed setting is chosen, the number will appear in red.
Why do I get a #REF error in some cells when I copy results from Cruise Sheet 1.2?
If you do a "copy" and "paste", the pasted cells are looking for cells from the results page, or in similar positions to cells in the results page. To avoid this, do a "copy" and "paste special>>values". This will copy only the numbers that you see.
What statistics are provided with Cruise Sheet 1.2's results?
All statistics are presented on a per acre bases. They are presented for basal area, trees per acre, sawtimber volumes, and pulpwood volumes. The reported statistics are the mean (Mean), standard deviation (St Dev), coefficient of variation (CV), standard error (Std Err), confidence intervals at 95%, 85%, and 75% confidence levels (CI at 95%, CI at 85%, CI at 75%).
How can I get statistical results with the Tally Tools?
Save the results form each point and analyze those results using Excel®. The Tally Tools do not add functionality (the point and fixed area plot tools can do everything TT can) to Cruise Sheet, they only provide an alternative method of accomplishing some tasks.
Can I use Cruise Sheet 1.2 to analyze a strip cruise?
Yes. Many fixed area cruises can be handled with ease. Use the Plot/Fixed area tools, and instead of entering a plot size, enter the sampling intensity (50% = .50). The results will then be per stand not per acre. Likewise, 100% tallies can also be handled by entering a 1 in the plot sized field.
Where do I find the data entry file (DEF)?
The DEF can be accessed from a link on the region selection page.
How many trees can be included in a cruise?
Cruise Sheet 1.2 is designed to be used as a stand level tool. Therefore, for each stand the limits are either 100 points/plots, or 2000 trees.
What is the best way to view results from Cruise Sheet 1.2?
The results sheet contains four tables. In order to see these you must scroll down. Because each table is designed to print on a separate page, the "print preview" function provides an nice display of each table.
What should I do first when the file/tool opens?
Before you enter any data, you should save a user copy of the file. Enter data only into this user copy, in order to preserve the original. The original is read only. Occasionally you may need to remove the read only attribute from the user copy. To do this, right click on the file from an explorer window, select "properties", uncheck "read only", click "apply", click "ok".
How do I edit a report table?
"Copy" and "paste special >> values" the table to another sheet first.
If I have typed in a value, why are the results not being updated?
If you type in a value and do not press enter, or move to another cell, the value will not be registered. The is a danger if you alter the tree list (with out pressing enter), and then move to the results page to view the results (again, without pressing enter, or clicking another cell).
Do I need to enter tree diameters as one inch or two inch diameter classes?
Neither! With Cruise Sheet 1.2 you may enter tree diameters in as actual size (such at 14.2 inches). All calculations are done using the actual diameter, and results are grouped and reported in one-inch sized classes.
Why can I not past data into Cruise Sheet?
Data may only be pasted into yellow cells in Cruise Sheet. If data can not be pasted into yellow cells your file is probably set to "read only".
How do I change a file to not be "read only"?
Use the Windows Explorer (My Computer or Searh/Find) to view your Cruise Sheet file. Right click on the file while it is not open. Choose the "Properties" menu item. At the bottom remove the check next to "read only". Finally, click the "OK" button.
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