Professional Surveying Supplies for Forestry & Land Measurement
Accurate measurement is the foundation of sound forest management, land surveying, and construction layout. CSP Forestry has been a trusted supplier of professional surveying supplies since 1986, serving timber cruisers, licensed land surveyors, foresters, engineers, and GIS technicians across North America. We stock precision instruments and rugged field tools built to perform in demanding outdoor conditions — from dense Pacific Northwest timber to open rangeland and pipeline right-of-way.
Whether you're running a timber cruise, executing a boundary survey, setting construction grade, or collecting GPS field data, CSP Forestry carries the professional surveying tools your work demands. We carry complete measurement systems — not just individual instruments — so you can outfit an entire crew from one source with compatible, professional-grade equipment.
Forestry & Timber Cruising Instruments
Timber inventory and forest management depend on precise stand measurement. Our forestry measurement instruments include clinometers for slope percent and tree height, hypsometers for accurate height determination using trigonometric methods, and laser range finders that measure distance and height simultaneously through heavy vegetation. For basal area estimation, we carry angle gauges, prism wedges, and Spiegel relascopes used in variable-radius plot cruising.
Tree diameter measurement tools include diameter tapes (D-tapes) calibrated for direct DBH reading, Biltmore sticks, and tree calipers for plot work. For stand density and canopy measurement, we stock densiometers and spherical densiometers used to estimate canopy closure. Pair these instruments with tally counters, log rules and scale sticks, and surveying field books to build a complete timber cruise kit.
Land Surveying & Layout Equipment
For boundary surveys, topographic surveys, and construction layout, CSP Forestry carries the full range of professional survey instruments. Our laser levels and levels and measuring tools handle grade work from simple self-leveling rotary lasers to precision construction lasers with machine receivers. Total stations provide the angle and distance measurement capability needed for control traverses, boundary establishment, and topographic data collection. For pipe and utility installation, we carry pipe lasers that maintain precise grade from manhole to manhole.
Support equipment includes tripods and bipods in wood, aluminum, and fiberglass for instrument setup, leveling rods in fiberglass and aluminum in standard and metric graduations, prisms and prism poles for total station reflector targets, and laser machine receivers for grade control on excavating and grading equipment.
Compasses, Navigation & Orientation Tools
Field navigation and bearing measurement rely on quality compasses from trusted brands including Brunton, Suunto, and Silva. We carry hand-bearing compasses, staff compasses, and orienteering compasses suited to boundary work, cruise line navigation, and wilderness navigation. For slope and grade work, our clinometer selection covers optical and digital models including the Suunto PM-5, Brunton Clinometer, and Haglof EC II — the instruments used by professional foresters and land surveyors worldwide.
Combine compass and clinometer with our maps, atlases, and stereograms for complete field navigation and aerial photo interpretation. We also carry binoculars for reconnaissance and observation work, and weather instruments including Kestrel wind meters for field condition monitoring during cruise and prescribed fire work.
Measurement Tapes, Chains & Distance Equipment
Distance measurement in the field relies on accurate, durable tapes and chains. CSP Forestry stocks measuring tapes and reels in steel, fiberglass, and cloth in lengths from 50 to 300 feet, hip chains for hands-free distance measurement while walking transects, and pole tapes and gauging tapes for standing timber measurement. Our measuring wheels provide fast, accurate distance measurement along roads and traversable terrain.
For precision layout, we carry chalk lines and chalk for layout control, rulers and scales for map work, and laser range finders from Nikon, TruPulse, and Bushnell that calculate slope-corrected distance and height simultaneously — essential for efficient timber cruise and boundary work.
Marking, Flagging & Data Recording
Accurate field data begins with clear marking and systematic recording. We carry flagging tape in all standard survey colors, stake flags, property markers and surveyor flags, and lumber crayons and markers for marking trees, stakes, and boundaries in any weather. For paint-based marking, our marking paint and Nelson Paint marking gun systems deliver fast, durable marks on bark and rough surfaces.
Field data recording supplies include surveying field books — Rite in the Rain and standard hardcover — in multiple formats for traverse notes, timber cruise data, and soil sampling records. We also stock field pencils and markers rated for wet paper use, and hand tally counters for accurate tree counts during cruise and inventory work.
Trusted Brands in Surveying & Forestry Measurement
CSP Forestry stocks instruments from the brands professional surveyors and foresters rely on:
- CST/Berger — laser levels, optical levels, pipe lasers, and construction instruments
- Haglof — Vertex ultrasonic hypsometers, clinometers, and precision forestry calipers
- Spencer — professional logging tapes, diameter tapes, and forestry measurement accessories
- Suunto — clinometers, compasses, and field measurement instruments
- Brunton — compasses, clinometers, and field navigation tools
- TruPulse — laser range finders with simultaneous height, distance, and inclination measurement
- Nikon — Forestry Pro laser hypsometers and rangefinders
- Keson — measuring tapes, measuring wheels, and layout tools
Surveying Supplies by Application
Timber Cruise & Forest Inventory: Clinometers, diameter tapes, angle gauges, hypsometers, laser range finders, tally counters, increment borers, field books, and hip chains.
Boundary & Cadastral Surveying: Total stations, compasses, theodolites, leveling rods, tripods, prisms, measuring tapes, survey flags, property markers, and field books.
Construction Layout & Grade Control: Laser levels, pipe lasers, leveling rods, laser machine receivers, tripods, measuring tapes, chalk lines, and builder's levels.
GIS & Mapping Field Work: Laser range finders, GPS accessories, compasses, measuring tapes, field books, and maps and stereograms for aerial photo interpretation.
Log Scaling & Timber Measurement: Log rules and scale sticks, diameter tapes, log calipers, Biltmore sticks, and tally counters for load and log scaling applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What surveying tools does CSP Forestry carry for timber cruising?
We carry all the essentials for timber cruising including clinometers, angle gauges, diameter tapes, hypsometers, laser range finders, tally counters, and log rules and scale sticks for professional forest inventory work. We also carry field books and hip chains for complete cruise kit outfitting.
Do you carry laser levels and professional survey instruments?
Yes. We stock laser levels, total stations, pipe lasers, leveling rods, and tripods and bipods for professional layout, grade control, and boundary survey work. We also carry laser machine receivers for machine control applications.
What is the difference between a clinometer and a hypsometer?
A clinometer measures vertical angle or slope percent and is used for slope correction in cruising and navigation. A hypsometer is specifically designed to calculate tree height using distance and angle, combining clinometer function with rangefinding capability. Many foresters carry both instruments or use a combined unit like the Haglof Vertex.
Can I find field books and tallying supplies at CSP Forestry?
Yes. Our surveying field books include Rite in the Rain all-weather notebooks, transit books, and cruise books. We also carry tally counters, field pencils and markers, and cruiser vests with pockets sized for field recording supplies.
What brands of surveying equipment does CSP Forestry carry?
CSP Forestry carries trusted brands including CST/Berger, Haglof, Spencer, Suunto, Brunton, Nikon, TruPulse, and Keson for surveying tools and measurement instruments used in forestry, land surveying, and construction.
Do you carry maps and atlases for field navigation?
Yes. We offer maps, atlases, and stereograms along with compasses and binoculars for field navigation, reconnaissance, and aerial photo interpretation work in forestry and land management.
What is a hip chain used for in forestry surveying?
A hip chain measures distance by paying out thread as you walk a transect or cruise line, allowing hands-free distance tracking. It is widely used in timber cruise, vegetation surveys, and boundary line work where distance must be tracked continuously through the forest.
Do you carry prisms and reflector targets for total stations?
Yes. We stock prisms and prism poles compatible with major total station brands, along with prism pole bipods and targets. Browse our full surveying and mapping collection for complete reflector target setups.
What diameter tape do foresters use for measuring tree DBH?
Foresters use diameter tapes (D-tapes) that are calibrated to display diameter directly from a circumference measurement. The most common widths are 5/8" fiberglass or cloth tapes in 60" or 120" lengths. Pair with a tally counter and clinometer for a complete cruise kit.
Do you carry supplies for GIS and GPS field data collection?
Yes. We carry laser range finders with Bluetooth output for GPS-paired data collection, field books for manual data entry, flagging and stake flags for marking data points, and maps and stereograms for GIS reference. Contact CSP Forestry about GPS data collector accessories and compatible instruments.
Browse our complete surveying and mapping catalog or explore specific instrument categories including levels and measuring tools, laser levels, surveying tools, and total stations. CSP Forestry ships quickly to foresters, surveyors, and field crews across North America — contact us if you need help selecting the right instrument for your application.
