A method of extracting timber over rough and/or steep ground using a system of pulleys and line wires. The tractor, which provides the power for the system, remains on the forest road. See also Highlead and Skyline.
Cambium
Layer of living cells just under bark and at growing tips of shoots and roots, from which new growth develops.
Canker
Disease-damaged area of a tree usually caused by fungus or bacteria.
Canopy
The foliage and small branches of tall trees in a wood when these have interlaced to form continuous cover.
Catkin
Male or female flowers hanging in chains: they lack coloured petals because they are wind-pollinated flowers.
Check
Term used to describe trees growing very slowly or not at all. Usually caused by poor drainage or nutrient deficiency.
Term used in connection with ecological succession, in this case the point when stable vegetation cover is reached, e.g. forest.
Clinometer
An instrument used for measuring slopes. Can be used from the ground to measure the heights of trees.
Clone
Identical series of plants arising from a single parent by artificial or natural vegetative propagation.
Compartment
A unit within the forest, demarcated (for administrative purposes) by permanent features e.g. roads and streams.
Compound
Term describing leaf that consists of several leaflets, e.g. ash leaf.
Cone scale
Woody structure arising from cone axis, enclosing developing seeds.
Conifer
Tree on which the seeds are borne in a cone.
Conversion
Cutting up of tree into desired lengths. The merchant who purchases the timber will usually dictate the lengths of timber they will need according to their market.
Conversion loss
The difference in volume between that of the standing tree and the volume of the products cut from it. Expressed as a percentage of the standing volume. Normal range 8 to 20 per cent.
