Down To Earth Perspective

This photo sequence allows you to see forest management from an aerial view and on-the-ground images of the same area. This area was harvested in 2001 and planted in the spring of 2002.

The first photo is a National Agriculture Inventory Program (NAIP Image) from Google Earth (2011) taken from an aircraft flying at 32,000 feet. Photos 2 through 9 were taken in November 2011, from a helicopter, followed by shots taken as the camera descends to the ground. The Google Earth image and photos taken at higher elevations appear to show virtually no trees or other vegetation in the harvested areas. As the camera descends to more human scales, trees and shrubs come into view. The last four pictures were taken in April, 2012. As can be clearly seen, these ground level images depict the significant number of planted trees growing in the harvested area and they also show the diversity of tree species and shrubs. The planted trees have been growing for 10 years and show recent pre-commercial thinning to maintain forest health and stand growth rates. SPI’s harvest areas in California average 17.5 acres. (For reference the yellow diamond is placed in approximately the same location on each photo.)

32,000 Ft. Above Ground

National Agriculture Inventory Program (NAIP) image from Google Earth.

Down To Earth at 32,000 feet The yellow diamond is placed in approximately the same location on each photo.

4,500 Ft. Above Ground

SPI image from helicopter.

Down To Earth at 4,500 feet The yellow diamond is placed in approximately the same location on each photo.

3,500 Ft. Above Ground

SPI image from helicopter – habitat retention islands trees in groups are more visible.

Down To Earth The yellow diamond is placed in approximately the same location on each photo.

2,500 Ft. Above Ground

SPI image from helicopter - individual larger trees become discernible.

Down To Earth The yellow diamond is placed in approximately the same location on each photo.

1,500 Ft. Above Ground

SPI image from helicopter – individual planted trees and trees in retention islands now visible.

Down To Earth The yellow diamond is placed in approximately the same location on each photo.

1,000 Ft. Above Ground

SPI image from helicopter - individual trees and fall colors on the deciduous black oak trees becomes visible.

Down To Earth The yellow diamond is placed in approximately the same location on each photo.

350 Ft. Above Ground

SPI image from helicopter - height of planted trees becomes discernible because of shadows cast.

Down To Earth The yellow diamond is placed in approximately the same location on each photo.

50 Ft. Above Ground

SPI image from helicopter - species composition becomes discernible and evidence of recent pre-commercial thinning is visible.

Down To Earth The yellow diamond is placed in approximately the same location on each photo.

Ground Level

SPI ground image - showing planted trees (10 years), deciduous black oak retention and new snag recruitment in the retention island.

Down To Earth On the ground.

Ground Level

SPI ground image - showing planted tree diversity, Ponderosa Pine behind forest visitor.

Down To Earth On the ground.