Weyerhaeuser Recoups MC-GPS Investment
on First Day of Use

(From CMT Handheld Solutions May 1996.)

Weyerhaeuser Successfully Evaluates MC-GPS for Accurate Acreage Determination

Weyerhaeuser began evaluating the potential of the MC-GPS for acreage determination in May of 1994. Correct acreage determination is extremely important for a timber company. Here in the west where timber sells for $20,000 or more per acre, accurate acreage determination is an economic neccessity.

Weyerhaeuser has been extremely pleased with the MC-GPS for acreage determination. With the MC-GPS it is quick and easy to find out precisely how many acres are in a particular sale tract. In fact, the first time the MC-GPS was used, Weyerhaeuser was able to save more than the purchase price of the unit. Average savings over the first 11 tracts where the MC-GPS was tested was more than one unit per tract.

Since that initial test, Weyerhaeuser has expanded the use of the MC-GPS into Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Oregon, Washington, and is moving into Arkansas.

MC-GPS Triumphs Over the Old Hip Chain and Compass Method

Before GPS, Weyerhaeuser, like everyone else, used a hip chain and compass to determine acres. This method would account for at least 20% (and usually more) of the total time required to cruise a tract of timber. In many instances when time or other factors did not permit compass and chain measurement, acreage of a sale tract was simply guessed at. Now with the MC-GPS one person can do the job in the amount of time it takes to drive or walk the perimeter of the tract. A correct acreage can be determined for every tract under consideration. Additionally, GPS yields much more accurate measurements than a compass and chain or guesswork on large tracts of timber.

GPS is ideally suited to acreage determination because the data collected is even more precise than it is accurate. What this means is that GPS can determine the linear distance between different points in a particular GPS session with a far greater degree of precision than it can determine the actual geographic position of a single point on the earth.

There are several different methods for determining acreage with GPS. One method is to simply collect GPS points around the perimeter of the tract and then figure the area or acres defined by the points with the PC-GPS post-processing software. A second method involves using GPS to determine the scale of an aerial photo. This is the method Weyerhaeuser prefers to use whenever the particular tract in question can be clearly seen in an aerial photo.

MC-GPS Proves Its Value Under the Toughest Conditions

As a timber company Weyerhaeuser uses the MC-GPS primarily in the forest under canopy. Using the MC-GPS in North Carolina under hardwood and conifer canopy has not been a problem. However, when GPS is utilized under the heavy northwest canopy in Oregon and Washington planning is required. The mission planning feature of PC-GPS is especially important in these parts of the country.

Acreage determination is not the only use for GPS. Weyerhaeuser utilizes GPS for many other tasks throughout the country. It seems every day a new use or capability is discovered. GPS technology will only become more important and valuable as new applications dramatically expand its usefulness. According to Clyde Cassell, at Weyerhaeuser, "As we continue our search for the perfect GIS, our GPS use will increase exponentially!"