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Prism
 

A prism is used to help determine whether or not an area has too many or too few trees. Using geometry, the number of trees and the size of the trees, this instrument estimates the density of trees in square feet per acre.  This information can be used to determine tree volume and proper management strategies.

Looking through the prism causes a portion of the tree trunk to be offset.  When the two parts of the tree trunk overlap, the tree is included in the forester's inventory.

When the two parts of the tree trunk do not overlap the tree is excluded from the forester's inventory.