Information Bulletin Number 12 - May 25, 2004

Defining Culturally Modified Tree Site Boundaries

1. CMT features separated by more than 100 metres from other CMTs or other types of archaeological material are to be recorded as separate sites.
2. Any CMT separated by less than 10 metres from another CMT or other archaeological material is to be recorded as part of the same site.
3. CMT features located within 100 metres of each other are normally to be recorded as a single site.
   • This would usually apply where local topography is sufficiently uniform that it does not suggest natural boundaries to the site(s).
4. Where CMT features are separated by more than 10 metres and less than 100m from other CMT features, they may be recorded as separate sites subject to the following:
   • There are no subsurface deposits located between the CMTs.
   • Pronounced topographical differences may be used to help define the site boundaries. For example: clusters at the top and bottom of a high cliff, or on opposite sides of a deep ravine or major stream can be defined as separate sites.
   • Documented operational considerations may be used to help define CMT site boundaries. For example, CMT clusters that will be separated by a proposed road right of way may be defined as separate sites.
   • CMTs recorded during transect surveys may not be subdivided this way unless there is sufficient information to demonstrate that there is a low likelihood of CMTs in the gaps between transects.
   • In transect surveys where the gap between surveyed areas exceeds 100m all CMTs recorded are to be considered as one site, even if the CMTs are more than 100 metres apart, unless site information demonstrates otherwise. Such information must be clearly presented on the site form.
5. The size of sites with a single isolated CMT will not normally exceed 10 metres in any direction from the trunk (hence a 2 metre diameter CMT will be centred in a 22 metre diameter polygon). When clear topographic reasons exist the radius of such sites may be smaller than 10 metres. For instance the boundary of a CMT site located at the edge of a cliff need not extend beyond the cliff. Reasons for smaller site boundaries must be clearly depicted on the site map, or stated in the site form.
6. These site boundaries should not be confused with buffers for protection of CMTs during forestry operations – such buffers need to take into consideration other factors such as whether they might be affected by wind and soil instability.

1. It is preferred that site boundaries for newly recorded sites be submitted to the registry as a shapefile as well as the current paper or electronic formats.
2. Site boundaries for CMT site form updates must be submitted to the registry as a shapefile, in addition to the current paper or electronic formats.

NB: All distances between CMTs in this document are from the trunk of the tree at breast height.