Maple CDE Practice Test

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Which term is used to estimate basal area with a handheld optical tool?
Correct Answer:
Prism
Explanation:
Basal area is the cross‑sectional area of tree trunks per unit ground area, a quick way to gauge stand density in the field. A prism is the handheld optical tool used to estimate this value. With a fixed basal area factor, you look through the prism and count how many trees’ trunks intersect the reticle or are within the view. Each intersecting tree represents a set amount of basal area, so multiplying the count by the prism’s factor gives an estimate of basal area per acre. That’s why this term fits: it’s the instrument designed specifically for this rapid, in-the-field measurement. The other terms aren’t related to forest measurement tools.

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