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CANOPY - A layer or multiple layers of branches and foliage at the top or crown of a forest's trees.

CAPITAL GAINS - Profit on the sale of an asset such as timber, land, or other property. Reporting timber sales as capital gains provides certain tax advantages over reporting revenues as ordinary income.

CHIP-n-SAW - A cutting method used in cutting lumber from trees that measure between 6 and 14 inches diameter at breast height. The process chips off the rounded outer layer of a log before sawing the remaining cant or rectangular inside section into lumber. Chip-n-saw mills provide a market for trees larger than pulpwood and smaller than sawtimber.

CLEAR-CUT HARVEST - A harvesting and regeneration method that removes all trees within a given area. Clear-cutting is most commonly used in pine and hardwood forests, which require full sunlight to regenerate and grow efficiently.

CLIMAX COMMUNITY - A relatively stable and undisturbed plant community that has evolved through stages and adapted to its environment.

COMPETITION - The struggle between trees to obtain sunlight, nutrients, water, and growing space. Every part of the tree - from the roots to the crown - competes for space and food.

CONSERVATION - The protection, improvement, and wise use of natural resources for present and future generations.

CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (CRP) - A federal program designed to remove highly erodible, marginal farmland from production through a one-time cost-sharing payment to establish trees, grass, or other cover. The landowner receives a 10-year annual rental payment to maintain the cover.

CONTROLLED BURN - (See Prescribed Burn.)

CORD - A stack of round or split wood consisting of 128 cubic feet of wood, bark, and air space. A standard cord measures 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet. A face cord or short cord is 4 feet by 8 feet by any length of wood under 4 feet.

COST-SHARE ASSISTANCE - An assistance program offered by various state and federal agencies that pays a fixed rate or percentage of the total cost necessary to implement some forestry or agricultural practice.

COVER - (a) Any plant that intercepts rain drops before they reach the soil or that holds soil in place. (b) A hiding place or vegetative shelter for wildlife from predators or inclement weather.

CROP TREE - Any tree selected to grow to final harvest or to a selected size. Crop trees are selected for quality, species, size, timber potential, or wildlife value.

CROWN - The branches and foliage at the top of a tree.

CROWN-CLASS - A tree classification system based on the tree's relative height, foliage density, and ability to intercept light. Crown-class measures past growth performance and calls attention to crop trees that could benefit from future thinning and harvest operations. There are four classifications:

• Dominant Trees - Larger-than-average trees with broad, well-developed crowns. These trees receive direct sunlight from all sides and above.

• Codominant Trees - Average-to-fairly large trees with medium-sized crowns that form the forest canopy. These trees receive full light from above but are crowded on the sides.

• Intermediate Trees - Medium-sized trees with small crowns below the general level of the canopy. Intermediate trees receive little direct light, are poor crop trees, and should be removed during thinning operations.

• Suppressed or Overtopped Trees - Small trees that grow below the tree canopy and receive no direct sunlight from any direction.

CULL - A tree or log of marketable size that is useless for all but firewood or pulpwood because of crookedness, rot, injuries, or damage from disease or insects.

CUTTING CONTRACT - A written, legally binding document used in the sale of standing timber. The contract specifies the provisions covering the expectations and desires of both buyer and seller.

CUTTING CYCLE - The planned time interval between major harvesting operations within the same stand - usually within uneven-aged stands. For example, on a 10-year cutting cycle in a hardwood stand, trees are harvested every 10 years.

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