Tree crown condition in Missouri, 2000-2003

Abstract

The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program uses visual assessments of tree crown condition to monitor changes and trends in forest health. This report describes three FIA tree crown condition indicators (crown dieback, crown density, and foliage transparency) and sapling crown vigor measured in Missouri between 2000 and 2003. Descriptive statistics are presented for individual species, by FIA species group, and for all trees combined. The crown conditions reported here serve as a baseline against which to compare future assessments. Upon remeasurement, calculation of changes in crown measurements will indicate whether crown condition-and, by extension, forest health-is stable, improving, or declining.