Wood Measurement (Scaling)
More Information
In Ontario, no person can remove harvested Crown forest resources (trees) from the place of harvest unless they have been measured.
The Wood Measurement program is responsible for directing and controlling the measurement of Crown forest resources in the province of Ontario. These responsibilities are carried out under the authority of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA) and include: setting the standards and conducting audits for the movement and measurement of Crown forest resources (scaling), training and certification of government and forest industry personnel on scaling, auditing, and utilization standards, the determination of volumes/values for harvested Crown forest resources, and the management of this information.
There are several methods of scaling which are approved for use in Ontario. The Scaling Manual provides direction for the measurement of Crown forest resources in Ontario and sets out each method that can be used depending on factors such as the type of wood, its size, whether it is measured prior to harvesting, has been felled, skidded and piled, or whether it is in its final product stage.
Scalers must measure Crown forest resources according to the instructions and standards described in this Manual. Certified scalers must be able to identify tree species, recognize defects, identify deductions for various types of defects and provide accurate measurement information according to the Manual. All scalers are required to be certified before they can measure Crown forest resources. All training, testing and certification of scalers is carried out by the Wood Measurement Program.
A provincial scaling course and scaling refresher course are offered annually.
Scaling Audit Program
Over the years, to meet changing business practices of both the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the forest industry more than ninety-nine percent of all harvested Crown forest resources are moved prior to measurement and/or scaled by industry under the authority of a scaling agreement. These operating conditions have resulted in the need for a comprehensive scaling audit program. The overall objective of the scaling audit program is to provide assurance to MNR managers that the Crown’s financial and other interests are adequately protected with respect to the movement, measurement and reporting of Crown forest resources. All audits must be performed with due care by staff who have adequate technical training and proficiency as scaling auditors. Staff carrying out the functions of a scaling auditor must possess a scaling audit certificate.
Examination Committee
In 1943, the first edition of the Manual of Scaling Instructions for scaling and measurement of timber cut on public lands. With the setting of this standard all persons were required to be licensed as cullers (scalers) to ensure uniform measurement practices in the Province of Ontario. In order to be licensed as a culler (scaler) a person had to attend a scaling course and pass a set of examinations set by an independent board of examiners. The first Crown Timber Board of Examiners was established in 1943 and successive Boards have been established annually to ensure the quality of measurement occurs in the province. In response to changing practices and transfer of responsibility for scaling as described above, a second Crown Timber Board of Examiners was established in 1988 to accredit scaling auditors. The Board, now called Examination Committee remains active today.
