Stocking values for two different sites show Site 1 has Site Index 69, Basal area 100 ft²/ac, Density 160 trees/ac; Site 2 has Site Index 43, Basal area 75 ft²/ac, Density 180 trees/ac. Which site has the higher site index?

Stocking values for two different sites show Site 1 has Site Index 69, Basal area 100 ft²/ac, Density 160 trees/ac; Site 2 has Site Index 43, Basal area 75 ft²/ac, Density 180 trees/ac. Which site has the higher site index?

• A. Site 1
• B. Site 2
• C. Both sites have the same site index
• D. Not determinable from the data

Answer: (A)

Site index is a measure of potential forest productivity, expressed as the height that the dominant trees are expected to reach at a standard base age. A higher site index means a more productive site. Here, Site 1 has a site index of 69 and Site 2 has a site index of 43. Since 69 is greater than 43, Site 1 has the higher site index. The basal area and density describe current stocking and don’t change the site index values.

Site index is a measure of potential forest productivity, expressed as the height that the dominant trees are expected to reach at a standard base age. A higher site index means a more productive site. Here, Site 1 has a site index of 69 and Site 2 has a site index of 43. Since 69 is greater than 43, Site 1 has the higher site index. The basal area and density describe current stocking and don’t change the site index values.