1. A unit of length or area equal to one linear rod or one square rod, commonly used in land surveys. The terms, rod, pole, and perch are equivalent and may be used interchangeably, although "rod" is the most common. One (1) pole is equal to 25 links, 16.5 feet, or 1/4 (0.25) chain. For conversions and examples, see Rod, pole, or perch equivalents and conversions and the various Converting rods, poles, or perches to... entries.
2. A roundwood product used primarily for structural support. Tree species used for poles are selected for resistance to weather, wear, and mechanical stress and include lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and a variety of southern pines.
3. Term applied to trees that have too small a diameter to be considered sawlogs, but are useful as structural supports, flagpoles, etc.
4. The end of an axis, as in poles of the earth or of cellular mitotic spindles in plants and animals.
5. Either of two opposing parts, forces, or situations, as in magnets, batteries, or opinions.

1. A Spanish land grant larger than 1,000 acres.
2. A small farm.
3. A small building or group of small buildings (houses, huts, or bunkhouses) for housing ranch workers.
4. Same as "ranch".

Unimproved land; land in its unused natural state prior to development or construction of improvements such as streets, lighting, sewers, and the like.

The gradual acquisition of dry, usable land due to receding waters in a non-navigable waterway.

The outcome of an experiment conducted using the scientific method. This observed result is compared to the expected result according to the research hypothesis, and a conclusion is made about whether the results support or contradict the hypothesis.

The practice of adjoining landowners meeting at mid-point of a common partition fence and agreeing that one landowner will maintain the partition fence to the right of the midpoint and the other owner will maintain the fence to the left.

1. The series of rational steps that leads to the proof (or disproof) of a scientific or research hypothesis. The steps are observation, which leads to the formulation of a hypothesis through abductive reasoning, followed by tests or experiments to determine the validity of the hypothesis (deductive reasoning). The observed result of the experiment is compared to the expected result, and a conclusion is made supporting or contradicting the hypothesis. 2. The scientific method is the process by which scientific facts are discovered, proven, or learned.

A section is a tract of land approximately one (1) mile square and containing 640 acres, within a township. Sections are used in the government rectangular survey system (U.S. Public Lands Survey). Each section is approximately 1/36th (0.0278) of a township. Irregularities exist due to the curvature of the earth; these irregularities are corrected for in the northern and western tiers of sections in each township. One (1) section is equal to 640 acres, one (1) mile square, one (1) square mile, and 27,878,400 square feet.

The practice of manipulating and controlling forest establishment, growth, composition, structure, and to a certain extent, function. Silviculture can be thought of as agriculture for the forest, with trees as crops.

The characteristics of a site that influence growth of vegetation, including soil chemical and physical properties, climate, aspect, elevation, topography, and disturbance regime.

A contiguous group of trees that are similar enough in species composition, age class distribution, and site productivity or characteristics that it can be considered a single unit, regardless of size.

A steady flow or current of water on the earth, such as a river, creek or brook.

The process by which boundaries are measured and the locations or forms of land areas are determined; the on-site measurement of lot lines, dimensions, and position of structures on a lot including the determination of any existing encroachments or easements.

Idea that resources should be developed and used to meet the needs of the present generation in a way that does not compromise the ability of future generations to satisfy their needs.

Agricultural production that includes ecological and sustainability concerns in addition to economic and commodity values. Also known as "Alternative agriculture", this set of farming methods often includes organic farming, locally-based food production, biological pest control, and unique marketing strategies. This type of system is sustainable in the sense that the social, economic, and ecological benefits can last for extended periods of time without degradation of natural resources.

1. Live trees of merchantable species and sufficient size that they can be profitably harvested and sold. Timber is then milled and made into lumber and other wood products. 2. Forest land covered by trees of suitable size, kind, and quality to be of commercial value.

A land measurement used in the government rectangular survey system (U.S. Public Lands Survey). A township is six (6) miles in length on each side, with a total area of 36 square miles. It contains thirty-six (36)sections, each with an area of 640 acres, for a total area of 23,040 acres. Note that due to the curvature of the earth, a correction of 198 feet must be made every 24 miles. Therefore, many townships actually contain less than 36 square miles due to these corrections.

One (1) township is equal to 36 square miles or sections.
One (1) township is equal to six (6) miles square.
One (1) township equals 23,040 acres.
One (1 township equals 1,003,622,400 square feet.
One (1) township equals 93,239,572 square meters.
One (1) township is equal to 111,514,046.5199 square yards.
One (1) township is equal to 3,686,400.0 square rods, poles, or perches.
One (1) township is equal to 230,400.0015 square chains.
One (1) township is equal to 92,160.3695 roods.
One (1) township is equal to 27,271.9933 arpents.
One (1) township is equal to 9,323.9945 hectares.
One (1) township is equal to 93.24 square kilometers.

A branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for managing the national forests of the United States. Popularly known as the "U.S. Forest Service.

A hole or shaft that is dug into the ground to access underground stores of water or other substances. The well structure has three parts: the casing, the pump, and the pipes through which the water is discharged.

Term that refers to older ponderosa pines (generally 120 years +) that display yellow-orange bark

A geographic area within which certain categories of land use are legally permitted. The most common zoning categories or classifications are residential, industrial, agricultural, commercial, recreational, and other (also known as special or conditional use).