This day was packed full starting with sessions on volume and timber estimates for mature stands. A fair bit of classroom work on tree form/shape, understanding the volume tables, and the importance of understanding diameter measurements vs height measurements for volume. Students learned to use the Relaskop and Biltmore stick and we had a practice session outside the cabin. We took turns evaluating the trees outside for height and form, using the tarif tables to calculate estimated volumes. The big trick was learning to sight the 50% top. From there we moved rght away into a fairly nice stand of 65 year-old timber and students were tasked with computing tarif number for the stand, computing basal area with the relaskop and using their calibrated thumbs, and then back to the class for volume calculations and a quick barbecue lunch.

From there it was off to the College for an afternoon of lab work with Camille Freitag in the wood decay lab, Sara Robinson in the wood anatomy lab, and Gabriella Ritakova in the forest pathology lab. Camille introduced the groups to wood decay principles and had them perform isolation tests by sterilizing and plating wood cores. Sara had discussions with the students on aspects of wood anatomy and on her work with development of pigment dyes from fungal extracts in wood. Gabriella had her groups go through examples of wood and needle disease from insect and fungal pathogens, including sudden oak death and Swiss needle casts, two of the more pressing issues in Oregon now. A really good day and thanks to Camille and Sara and Gabriella for all their help in the afternoon labs