This document provides a 3-sentence summary of a fact sheet about determining property boundaries:
The fact sheet discusses how to locate property boundaries using a deed description, compass, and measuring tools. It explains how to adjust compass readings for magnetic declination and convert between true and magnetic bearings. The document provides guidance on marking boundary lines with blazes and corners with permanent markers.
MealShape® is an innovative starch blocker clinically-proven to instantly block carb absorption by more than 20%. By inhibiting enzymatic digestion of dietary starch, MealShape® helps prevent glycemic spikes and sugar crashes, thus aiding the body to reduce the conversion of excess sugar into fat.
Delivered by Holly Stibbon, 101 Website Design & Email Marketing.
Norfolk Chamber held THE FUTURE IS HERE event on Weds 23 September 2015 to bring businesses an essential opportunity to experience first-hand how digital technology can drive your business forward,
100+ Businesses | 16 Stands | 10 Speakers | 4 Workshops | 1 Amazing Venue
Prospect of Small Hydro Power in Uttarakhandijsrd.com
Uttarakhand is riched with natural renewable resources for generating electricity. As we know that Uttarakhand is about to fully hilly areas. Due to the fully hilly regions, the hydro power available in Uttarakhand can be harnessed by installing the small hydro power plant. The estimated potential of this state for small hydro power plant is more than 1708 MW. The installed capacity of small hydro power is 174.82 MW and under implementation capacity is 174.04 MW. Therefore in this state a large amount of small hydro power is yet to be harnessed by the small hydro power plant. Uttarakhand has a large network of rivers and canals which provides an immense scope for hydro power energy. In India, the Development of Small Hydro Power Projects was started in the year 1897. In India, the first hydro power station was a small hydro power station of capacity 130 KW commissioned at Sidrapong near Darjeeling in West Bengal in 1897.
MealShape® is an innovative starch blocker clinically-proven to instantly block carb absorption by more than 20%. By inhibiting enzymatic digestion of dietary starch, MealShape® helps prevent glycemic spikes and sugar crashes, thus aiding the body to reduce the conversion of excess sugar into fat.
Delivered by Holly Stibbon, 101 Website Design & Email Marketing.
Norfolk Chamber held THE FUTURE IS HERE event on Weds 23 September 2015 to bring businesses an essential opportunity to experience first-hand how digital technology can drive your business forward,
100+ Businesses | 16 Stands | 10 Speakers | 4 Workshops | 1 Amazing Venue
Prospect of Small Hydro Power in Uttarakhandijsrd.com
Uttarakhand is riched with natural renewable resources for generating electricity. As we know that Uttarakhand is about to fully hilly areas. Due to the fully hilly regions, the hydro power available in Uttarakhand can be harnessed by installing the small hydro power plant. The estimated potential of this state for small hydro power plant is more than 1708 MW. The installed capacity of small hydro power is 174.82 MW and under implementation capacity is 174.04 MW. Therefore in this state a large amount of small hydro power is yet to be harnessed by the small hydro power plant. Uttarakhand has a large network of rivers and canals which provides an immense scope for hydro power energy. In India, the Development of Small Hydro Power Projects was started in the year 1897. In India, the first hydro power station was a small hydro power station of capacity 130 KW commissioned at Sidrapong near Darjeeling in West Bengal in 1897.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF FERROCEMENT DEEP BEAMS WITH PARTIAL REPLACEMENT...ijsrd.com
The recent application of ferrocement includes prefabricated roof elements, load bearing panels, bridge decks and others. This present study deals with the experimental investigation of ferrocement deep beams with partial replacement of river sand by pond ash under two point loads. A total of 18 deep beams have been casted of dimension 120x250mm and the lengths of beams have been varied along with the variation of wire mesh layers and mortar strength kept constant. Before testing the top surface of these beams were white washed, to get a clear picture of crack pattern. Along with these beams 18 cubes have been casted with the dimension 7.06cmx7.06cmx7.06cm.the compressive strength of motor is determined.
We like to think that everyone answering our surveys is perfectly fluent in English but let's be realistic. About 10% of Americans have difficulty reading/writing in English because it is not their native language. And when we apply standard techniques to identify which survey takers provide good data and which are simply giving random answers, we are often making the mistake of applying measurements that all require high level language skills.
SOCRadar Research Team: Latest Activities of IntelBrokerSOCRadar
The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) has suffered an alleged data breach after a notorious threat actor claimed to have exfiltrated data from its systems. Infamous data leaker IntelBroker posted on the even more infamous BreachForums hacking forum, saying that Europol suffered a data breach this month.
The alleged breach affected Europol agencies CCSE, EC3, Europol Platform for Experts, Law Enforcement Forum, and SIRIUS. Infiltration of these entities can disrupt ongoing investigations and compromise sensitive intelligence shared among international law enforcement agencies.
However, this is neither the first nor the last activity of IntekBroker. We have compiled for you what happened in the last few days. To track such hacker activities on dark web sources like hacker forums, private Telegram channels, and other hidden platforms where cyber threats often originate, you can check SOCRadar’s Dark Web News.
Stay Informed on Threat Actors’ Activity on the Dark Web with SOCRadar!
Field Employee Tracking System| MiTrack App| Best Employee Tracking Solution|...informapgpstrackings
Keep tabs on your field staff effortlessly with Informap Technology Centre LLC. Real-time tracking, task assignment, and smart features for efficient management. Request a live demo today!
For more details, visit us : https://informapuae.com/field-staff-tracking/
Experience our free, in-depth three-part Tendenci Platform Corporate Membership Management workshop series! In Session 1 on May 14th, 2024, we began with an Introduction and Setup, mastering the configuration of your Corporate Membership Module settings to establish membership types, applications, and more. Then, on May 16th, 2024, in Session 2, we focused on binding individual members to a Corporate Membership and Corporate Reps, teaching you how to add individual members and assign Corporate Representatives to manage dues, renewals, and associated members. Finally, on May 28th, 2024, in Session 3, we covered questions and concerns, addressing any queries or issues you may have.
For more Tendenci AMS events, check out www.tendenci.com/events
Climate Science Flows: Enabling Petabyte-Scale Climate Analysis with the Eart...Globus
The Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) is a global network of data servers that archives and distributes the planet’s largest collection of Earth system model output for thousands of climate and environmental scientists worldwide. Many of these petabyte-scale data archives are located in proximity to large high-performance computing (HPC) or cloud computing resources, but the primary workflow for data users consists of transferring data, and applying computations on a different system. As a part of the ESGF 2.0 US project (funded by the United States Department of Energy Office of Science), we developed pre-defined data workflows, which can be run on-demand, capable of applying many data reduction and data analysis to the large ESGF data archives, transferring only the resultant analysis (ex. visualizations, smaller data files). In this talk, we will showcase a few of these workflows, highlighting how Globus Flows can be used for petabyte-scale climate analysis.
Into the Box Keynote Day 2: Unveiling amazing updates and announcements for modern CFML developers! Get ready for exciting releases and updates on Ortus tools and products. Stay tuned for cutting-edge innovations designed to boost your productivity.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF FERROCEMENT DEEP BEAMS WITH PARTIAL REPLACEMENT...ijsrd.com
The recent application of ferrocement includes prefabricated roof elements, load bearing panels, bridge decks and others. This present study deals with the experimental investigation of ferrocement deep beams with partial replacement of river sand by pond ash under two point loads. A total of 18 deep beams have been casted of dimension 120x250mm and the lengths of beams have been varied along with the variation of wire mesh layers and mortar strength kept constant. Before testing the top surface of these beams were white washed, to get a clear picture of crack pattern. Along with these beams 18 cubes have been casted with the dimension 7.06cmx7.06cmx7.06cm.the compressive strength of motor is determined.
We like to think that everyone answering our surveys is perfectly fluent in English but let's be realistic. About 10% of Americans have difficulty reading/writing in English because it is not their native language. And when we apply standard techniques to identify which survey takers provide good data and which are simply giving random answers, we are often making the mistake of applying measurements that all require high level language skills.
SOCRadar Research Team: Latest Activities of IntelBrokerSOCRadar
The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) has suffered an alleged data breach after a notorious threat actor claimed to have exfiltrated data from its systems. Infamous data leaker IntelBroker posted on the even more infamous BreachForums hacking forum, saying that Europol suffered a data breach this month.
The alleged breach affected Europol agencies CCSE, EC3, Europol Platform for Experts, Law Enforcement Forum, and SIRIUS. Infiltration of these entities can disrupt ongoing investigations and compromise sensitive intelligence shared among international law enforcement agencies.
However, this is neither the first nor the last activity of IntekBroker. We have compiled for you what happened in the last few days. To track such hacker activities on dark web sources like hacker forums, private Telegram channels, and other hidden platforms where cyber threats often originate, you can check SOCRadar’s Dark Web News.
Stay Informed on Threat Actors’ Activity on the Dark Web with SOCRadar!
Field Employee Tracking System| MiTrack App| Best Employee Tracking Solution|...informapgpstrackings
Keep tabs on your field staff effortlessly with Informap Technology Centre LLC. Real-time tracking, task assignment, and smart features for efficient management. Request a live demo today!
For more details, visit us : https://informapuae.com/field-staff-tracking/
Experience our free, in-depth three-part Tendenci Platform Corporate Membership Management workshop series! In Session 1 on May 14th, 2024, we began with an Introduction and Setup, mastering the configuration of your Corporate Membership Module settings to establish membership types, applications, and more. Then, on May 16th, 2024, in Session 2, we focused on binding individual members to a Corporate Membership and Corporate Reps, teaching you how to add individual members and assign Corporate Representatives to manage dues, renewals, and associated members. Finally, on May 28th, 2024, in Session 3, we covered questions and concerns, addressing any queries or issues you may have.
For more Tendenci AMS events, check out www.tendenci.com/events
Climate Science Flows: Enabling Petabyte-Scale Climate Analysis with the Eart...Globus
The Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) is a global network of data servers that archives and distributes the planet’s largest collection of Earth system model output for thousands of climate and environmental scientists worldwide. Many of these petabyte-scale data archives are located in proximity to large high-performance computing (HPC) or cloud computing resources, but the primary workflow for data users consists of transferring data, and applying computations on a different system. As a part of the ESGF 2.0 US project (funded by the United States Department of Energy Office of Science), we developed pre-defined data workflows, which can be run on-demand, capable of applying many data reduction and data analysis to the large ESGF data archives, transferring only the resultant analysis (ex. visualizations, smaller data files). In this talk, we will showcase a few of these workflows, highlighting how Globus Flows can be used for petabyte-scale climate analysis.
Into the Box Keynote Day 2: Unveiling amazing updates and announcements for modern CFML developers! Get ready for exciting releases and updates on Ortus tools and products. Stay tuned for cutting-edge innovations designed to boost your productivity.
Enhancing Research Orchestration Capabilities at ORNL.pdfGlobus
Cross-facility research orchestration comes with ever-changing constraints regarding the availability and suitability of various compute and data resources. In short, a flexible data and processing fabric is needed to enable the dynamic redirection of data and compute tasks throughout the lifecycle of an experiment. In this talk, we illustrate how we easily leveraged Globus services to instrument the ACE research testbed at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility with flexible data and task orchestration capabilities.
Understanding Globus Data Transfers with NetSageGlobus
NetSage is an open privacy-aware network measurement, analysis, and visualization service designed to help end-users visualize and reason about large data transfers. NetSage traditionally has used a combination of passive measurements, including SNMP and flow data, as well as active measurements, mainly perfSONAR, to provide longitudinal network performance data visualization. It has been deployed by dozens of networks world wide, and is supported domestically by the Engagement and Performance Operations Center (EPOC), NSF #2328479. We have recently expanded the NetSage data sources to include logs for Globus data transfers, following the same privacy-preserving approach as for Flow data. Using the logs for the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) as an example, this talk will walk through several different example use cases that NetSage can answer, including: Who is using Globus to share data with my institution, and what kind of performance are they able to achieve? How many transfers has Globus supported for us? Which sites are we sharing the most data with, and how is that changing over time? How is my site using Globus to move data internally, and what kind of performance do we see for those transfers? What percentage of data transfers at my institution used Globus, and how did the overall data transfer performance compare to the Globus users?
Innovating Inference - Remote Triggering of Large Language Models on HPC Clus...Globus
Large Language Models (LLMs) are currently the center of attention in the tech world, particularly for their potential to advance research. In this presentation, we'll explore a straightforward and effective method for quickly initiating inference runs on supercomputers using the vLLM tool with Globus Compute, specifically on the Polaris system at ALCF. We'll begin by briefly discussing the popularity and applications of LLMs in various fields. Following this, we will introduce the vLLM tool, and explain how it integrates with Globus Compute to efficiently manage LLM operations on Polaris. Attendees will learn the practical aspects of setting up and remotely triggering LLMs from local machines, focusing on ease of use and efficiency. This talk is ideal for researchers and practitioners looking to leverage the power of LLMs in their work, offering a clear guide to harnessing supercomputing resources for quick and effective LLM inference.
First Steps with Globus Compute Multi-User EndpointsGlobus
In this presentation we will share our experiences around getting started with the Globus Compute multi-user endpoint. Working with the Pharmacology group at the University of Auckland, we have previously written an application using Globus Compute that can offload computationally expensive steps in the researcher's workflows, which they wish to manage from their familiar Windows environments, onto the NeSI (New Zealand eScience Infrastructure) cluster. Some of the challenges we have encountered were that each researcher had to set up and manage their own single-user globus compute endpoint and that the workloads had varying resource requirements (CPUs, memory and wall time) between different runs. We hope that the multi-user endpoint will help to address these challenges and share an update on our progress here.
We describe the deployment and use of Globus Compute for remote computation. This content is aimed at researchers who wish to compute on remote resources using a unified programming interface, as well as system administrators who will deploy and operate Globus Compute services on their research computing infrastructure.
Top Features to Include in Your Winzo Clone App for Business Growth (4).pptxrickgrimesss22
Discover the essential features to incorporate in your Winzo clone app to boost business growth, enhance user engagement, and drive revenue. Learn how to create a compelling gaming experience that stands out in the competitive market.
Listen to the keynote address and hear about the latest developments from Rachana Ananthakrishnan and Ian Foster who review the updates to the Globus Platform and Service, and the relevance of Globus to the scientific community as an automation platform to accelerate scientific discovery.
Large Language Models and the End of ProgrammingMatt Welsh
Talk by Matt Welsh at Craft Conference 2024 on the impact that Large Language Models will have on the future of software development. In this talk, I discuss the ways in which LLMs will impact the software industry, from replacing human software developers with AI, to replacing conventional software with models that perform reasoning, computation, and problem-solving.
A Comprehensive Look at Generative AI in Retail App Testing.pdfkalichargn70th171
Traditional software testing methods are being challenged in retail, where customer expectations and technological advancements continually shape the landscape. Enter generative AI—a transformative subset of artificial intelligence technologies poised to revolutionize software testing.
top nidhi software solution freedownloadvrstrong314
This presentation emphasizes the importance of data security and legal compliance for Nidhi companies in India. It highlights how online Nidhi software solutions, like Vector Nidhi Software, offer advanced features tailored to these needs. Key aspects include encryption, access controls, and audit trails to ensure data security. The software complies with regulatory guidelines from the MCA and RBI and adheres to Nidhi Rules, 2014. With customizable, user-friendly interfaces and real-time features, these Nidhi software solutions enhance efficiency, support growth, and provide exceptional member services. The presentation concludes with contact information for further inquiries.
Quarkus Hidden and Forbidden ExtensionsMax Andersen
Quarkus has a vast extension ecosystem and is known for its subsonic and subatomic feature set. Some of these features are not as well known, and some extensions are less talked about, but that does not make them less interesting - quite the opposite.
Come join this talk to see some tips and tricks for using Quarkus and some of the lesser known features, extensions and development techniques.
In software engineering, the right architecture is essential for robust, scalable platforms. Wix has undergone a pivotal shift from event sourcing to a CRUD-based model for its microservices. This talk will chart the course of this pivotal journey.
Event sourcing, which records state changes as immutable events, provided robust auditing and "time travel" debugging for Wix Stores' microservices. Despite its benefits, the complexity it introduced in state management slowed development. Wix responded by adopting a simpler, unified CRUD model. This talk will explore the challenges of event sourcing and the advantages of Wix's new "CRUD on steroids" approach, which streamlines API integration and domain event management while preserving data integrity and system resilience.
Participants will gain valuable insights into Wix's strategies for ensuring atomicity in database updates and event production, as well as caching, materialization, and performance optimization techniques within a distributed system.
Join us to discover how Wix has mastered the art of balancing simplicity and extensibility, and learn how the re-adoption of the modest CRUD has turbocharged their development velocity, resilience, and scalability in a high-growth environment.
How Recreation Management Software Can Streamline Your Operations.pptxwottaspaceseo
Recreation management software streamlines operations by automating key tasks such as scheduling, registration, and payment processing, reducing manual workload and errors. It provides centralized management of facilities, classes, and events, ensuring efficient resource allocation and facility usage. The software offers user-friendly online portals for easy access to bookings and program information, enhancing customer experience. Real-time reporting and data analytics deliver insights into attendance and preferences, aiding in strategic decision-making. Additionally, effective communication tools keep participants and staff informed with timely updates. Overall, recreation management software enhances efficiency, improves service delivery, and boosts customer satisfaction.
Custom Healthcare Software for Managing Chronic Conditions and Remote Patient...Mind IT Systems
Healthcare providers often struggle with the complexities of chronic conditions and remote patient monitoring, as each patient requires personalized care and ongoing monitoring. Off-the-shelf solutions may not meet these diverse needs, leading to inefficiencies and gaps in care. It’s here, custom healthcare software offers a tailored solution, ensuring improved care and effectiveness.
Custom Healthcare Software for Managing Chronic Conditions and Remote Patient...
Fs619 det propbndries
1. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Maryland, College Park,
and local governments. Thomas A. Fretz, Director of Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland.
The University of Maryland is equal opportunity. The University’s policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on
nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title
IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed
to the Director of Personnel/Human Relations, Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.
P99
Fact Sheet 619
Woodland Management: How To Determine Your Property Boundaries
by
Jonathan S. Kays
regional Extension natural r esources specialist
Wester n Maryland Research and Education Center
Rober t L. Tjaden
regional Extension natural r esources specialist
Wye Research and Education Center
Many landowners have only a vague idea
of where their property boundaries lie or
unwisely assume that existing fence lines or
walls accurately define their property bound-
aries. When land is not being managed, un-
clear boundaries may not be a problem; how-
ever, they can become important when tim-
ber cutting or improvement cutting begins.
Accurately marked property boundaries also
are needed to find exact acreage when calcu-
lating land value and property taxes. Well-
marked boundaries also can prevent timber
theft. The Annotated Code of Maryland,
Natural Resources Section 5-409, protects
landowners from pilfering of merchantable
trees and timber. It reads as follows:
Any person who willfully, negligently,
recklessly, wrongfully, or maliciously
enters upon lands or premises of another
without written permission of the
owner... in order to cut, burn, or other-
wise injure or destroy, or cause to be cut,
burned, or otherwise injured or
destroyed, any merchantable trees or tim-
ber on the land is liable to the party
injured or aggrieved in an amount triple
the value of the trees or timber cut,
burned, or otherwise injured or
destroyed. The damages are recoverable
in a civil action.
In Maryland, if someone cuts your trees
without your written consent for any reason,
the law makes it possible to recover triple the
value of the timber cut, even if the boundaries
are unmarked. This high level of protection is
greater than that of many other states.
However, the time, money, frustration, and
conflict with your management objectives for
the land affected are difficult to compensate.
Clearly marked boundaries can help minimize
such problems.
A professional survey can be costly, and
often the cost of the survey only covers the
location of corners—locating and marking
boundaries can be an added expense. This fact
sheet provides the basic information needed
to locate and mark property boundaries from
a deed description. However, if there is any
dispute about property boundaries between
neighbors, only a licensed surveyor can legally
establish boundaries in Maryland.
Deed Descriptions
The only way to locate your legal bound-
aries is to obtain a deed description or a regis-
tered survey map that accurately includes
angles and distances for each boundary line.
Many deeds, however, contain only vague
descriptions of corner markers and abutting
lands. This type of deed, referred to as a metes
How To Determine Your Property Boundaries
This fact sheet is part of a series on woodland management. If you
would like information on additional topics in the series, contact
your county Extension office.
2. 72
Figur e 1. Examples of typical boundary corner
markers in Maryland.
Figur e 2b. Bearings as read from a quadrant
compass.
Figur e 2a. Azimuths as read from a standard
compass.Cement or
Granite Post Stake and Stones
Pile of Rocks
With Prominent
Rock
Iron Pipe
(note bend)
Crosses on
Rocks
E 90W 90
N 60 W
150
S 30 E
200
S 40 W
S 180
S 0
N 45 E
N 0NW Quadrant
SW Quadrant SE Quadrant
NE Quadrant
and bounds survey, may give boundary
descriptions according to streams, old trees,
rock walls, and roads that have changed over
the years.
On some properties, the corners may be
clearly marked or long-time residents may be
able to help determine corner locations. A
variety of corner markers have been used in
Maryland, such as multiple blazes on trees, an
iron pipe or pin, a rock pile topped by a
pointed rock, a drill hole or other unnatural
mark on a rock, a concrete or granite post, or
the corner or crossing of two stone walls
(Figure 1). Surveyors often plant wooden
stakes for reference purposes during a survey;
however, a surveyor’s wooden stake does not
necessarily mark a corner.
If the corners of your land are known and
your abutters agree on their location, nothing
else may be needed to establish your property
boundaries. In other cases, a deed search may
be required. You can conduct this search your-
self or hire a licensed surveyor or consulting
forester to do the search. Once a deed descrip-
tion is obtained, you can draft a map of your
land with a protractor and a scale and transfer
the information to your land.
Reading a Compass
A compass sets direction based on standard
dial graduations of 360 degrees. Zero degrees
and/or 360˚ is north; 90˚ is east; 180˚ is south;
and 270˚ is west. These are called azimuths
and are found on most standard compasses
(Figure 2a). In most surveying work, the com-
pass is divided into four quadrants—NE, NW,
SE, and SW—and bearings are described by
the number of degrees and the direction in
which they depart from north or south
(Figure 2b). Thus, 60˚ is the same as N60˚ E;
110˚ is the same as S70˚ E; 220˚ is the same as
S40˚ W; and 300˚ is the same as N60˚ W.
Compasses can be purchases with these quad-
rant readings.
It is important to understand that a com-
pass needle points to magnetic north, which
is not the true north. The angle between true
north and magnetic north is called magnetic
declination. In Maryland, we have westerly
declination: a compass points west of true
north by a number of degrees, depending on
your location. Here are examples of varying
declinations in Maryland:
• Deep Creek Lake, Garrett County—6˚ W
• Clear Spring, Washington County—71
⁄2˚ W
• Frederick City, Frederick County—81
⁄2˚ W
• Olney, Montgomery County—8˚ W
References
Portions of this material were reprinted
with permission from the following sources:
Broderick, S. H. 1983. Woodland owners work -
book: Knowing your boundaries.Storrs, CT;
Cooperative Extension Service, University
of Connecticut.
Kazimir, J. 1984. Forestry handbook.New York,
NY; Wiley-Interscience–A division of John
Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Maine Public Broadcasting and University of
Maine Cooperative Extension Service.
Where is it? Yankee woodlot information
series.Orono, ME; University of Maine
Cooperative Extension Service.
Roth, F. 1994. National 4-H forestry invitation -
al 1994 handbook.Washington, DC; U.S.
Department of Agriculture-Extension
Service.
Wood, H. P. and R. W. Kulis. Woodland
boundaries.Bulletin L-206. Amherst, MA;
Cooperative Extension Service, University
of Massachusetts.
Reviewed by
Wayne Watkins
project manager
Carroll Land Services, Inc.
Paul Maslen
consultant forester
Parkton Woodland Services
Philip Pannill
regional watershed forester
Maryland Department of Natural
Resources, Forest Service
3. 36
Trees that are on the line should be blazed
front and back about 5 feet above ground
level. Because few trees are actually on the
boundary line, it is acceptable to blaze trees
within 5 feet of the line with the blaze marks
face the line (Figure 9). Be sure you are still in
sight of the previous blaze when you cut the
next one. In some instances, acceptable trees
cannot be found on or near the line. In these
situations, erect mounds of stones or a fence.
Corners of property need to be marked
differently than the boundary lines, using
such markers as pipe or another permanent
item. To make the corner more evident, two
or three trees near the corner can be
marked as “witness trees” by cutting three
blazes at 4-inch intervals, one above the
other. Record these trees by taking bearings
and distances from the trees to the corner
(Figure 10). Maintain corner marks every
few years to avoid location problems and
costly surveying expenses.
Conclusion
With an accurate deed description or survey
map, the appropriate measuring equipment,
and the information in this fact sheet, you
may be able to satisfactorily locate your prop-
erty boundaries. However, locating property
boundaries can be difficult. Complicated deed
searches, errors in past surveys, or improperly
placed existing markers can result in hours of
fruitless and frustrating labor. In some cases, a
survey conducted by a licensed surveyor is the
only answer.
A landowner can request various levels
of survey work from a surveyor. At a mini-
mum, all corners should be located and
marked. Flagging the boundaries is an
additional expense, and permanently
marking the boundaries is the most expen-
sive option. When survey work is done by
a surveyor, request a copy of the field
notes for your records.
Figur e 8. An example of where on a tree to place a
blaze and what size the blaze should be.
Figur e 9. An example of how trees within 5 feet of
a property line can be blazed to mark the line.
Figur e 10. Witness trees.
6 inches
5 feet
Boundary Line
5 feet
Black Birch
Red Maple
16 feet N 30° E
10 feet
N 20° W C
A
B
S 5° E
Property Line
Blazed Trees
Red Maple
• LaPlata, Charles County—7˚ W
• Elkton, Cecil County—10˚ W
• Easton, Talbot County—8˚ W
• Salisbury, Wicomico County—91
⁄2˚ W
To establish the declination for your area,
call your local project forester, a local survey-
or, or consult a recent U.S. Geological Survey
quadrangle map for your area. These maps are
available at survey supply stores, outfitter
stores, or your local Natural Resources
Conservation Service office. A simple and reli-
able technique to adjust for declination is to
set the allowance directly on the compass
itself. In doing this, you can read true bear-
ings or azimuths directly. If you purchase a
compass, select one with this feature to aid in
your surveying efforts. (For more information
on compasses, request a copy of Fact Sheet
629 “Measuring Your Forest” from your local
Extension office.)
Before you can use deed or survey map
bearings in the field, you must determine
whether they are true or magnetic bearings. If
the deed or map does not say, the bearings are
likely magnetic. The best way to determine
whether they are true or magnetic is to take a
field bearing on a known boundary line and
compare it to the recorded bearing. Avoid car
hoods, railroad tracks, fences, and other metal
objects that may cause local magnetic interfer-
ence with the compass.
Adjusting Deed and Map
Bearings for Declination
If your map or deed bearings are true and
your compass can set the declination internal-
ly, no adjustment is necessary to establish
your true field bearing. If your compass reads
only the magnetic bearing, the declination
angle must be added in the NE and SW quad-
rants and subtracted in the SE and NW quad-
rants to obtain the magnetic bearing that is to
be shot in the field (Figure 3a). Here are some
examples:
• The true map bearing is N60˚ E (60˚ into
the NE quadrant). If you are in Charles
County, add 7˚ and shoot N67˚ E (67˚) in
the field.
• The true map bearing is S40˚ E (140˚ into
the SE quadrant). In Garrett County, sub-
tract 6˚ and shoot S34˚ E (146˚) in the field.
If your map bearings are magnetic, no
adjustment is necessary. Be aware, however,
that magnetic declination changes slightly
over time. If your deed or map description is
old, you may need to calculate the change in
declination by comparing the current bearings
of some known lines to the deed or map bear-
ings. Adjust the difference to the other lines.
Adjusting Field Bearings
for Declination
If you are taking a magnetic bearing in the
field and using a map with true bearings, you
will need to convert the magnetic bearing to a
true bearing. To determine the true bearing
from a bearing shot in the field, the declina-
tion angle must be subtracted in the NE and
SW quadrants and added in the NW and SE
quadrants (Figure 3b). Here are some examples:
• The field bearing is N60˚ E (60˚ in the NE
quadrant). In Charles County, subtract 7
and record N53˚ E (53˚) as the true bear-
ing.
• The field bearing is S40˚ E (140˚ in the SE
quadrant). In Garrett County, add 6˚ and
record S46˚ E (134˚) as the true bearing.
Measuring Distance
All maps and land surveys express the dis-
tance between two points as a horizontal dis-
Figur e 3b. Algebraic signs for changing a magnetic
bearing or azimuth to a true angle.
Figur e 3a. Algebraic signs for changing a true
bearing or azimuth to a magnetic angle.
–
–+
+
+
+–
–
4. 54
tance, which is the distance measured over a
level area. When establishing horizontal dis-
tance on the ground, it is necessary to correct
for the slope. To measure land distances, a
measuring tape (typically 50 or 100 feet long),
the length of a step, the length of a pace, or
the length of a chain can be used.
Measurements that require a high degree of
accuracy should be made with a tape and
should be conducted over horizontal, not
sloped, distances.
The length of your step can be determined
by walking with a normal, comfortable stride
for 20 steps in a straight line, measuring the
distance, and dividing that distance by the
number of steps. Do this three times to deter-
mine your average step. An example of a step
calculation is 55 feet covered by 20 steps or 55
feet/20 steps, which equals 2.75 feet per step.
Foresters typically use the pace to measure
distance because of its ease of use. A pace is
equal to two steps and is counted each time
the right or left foot strikes the ground (Figure
4). The method used to determine the length
of a pace is similar to that used to determine
the length of step. Using the same information
from our previous sample, 55 feet covered by
10 paces equals 5.5 feet covered per pace.
With practice, pacing on level, open
ground can be fairly accurate. However, on
slopes or in brushy or rocky areas, pacing’s
accuracy decreases (Figure 5). The following
suggestions for adjusting for slope are from
the Forestry Handbook(1989) published by
Wiley-Interscience:
In difficult terrain, no attempt should
be made to maintain a standard pace.
Instead, allow for its inevitable shorten-
ing (downhill as well as uphill) by repeat-
ing the count at intervals. For example,
on moderate slopes count every tenth
pace twice: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10,
11, etc. On steeper slopes it may be
found necessary to repeat every fifth
count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, etc. On the
steepest slopes in very heavy brush, in
swamps, or among boulders, every count
may have to be repeated. Consistent
accuracy in pacing under such conditions
is attained only by constant checking.
The following units of measure are com-
monly found in Maryland deeds:
• link = 7.92 inches
• foot = 12 inches
• yard = 3 feet (36 inches)
• pole, rod, or perch = 16.5 feet
• chain = 66 feet (composed of 100 links)
• square perch = 272 square feet
• mile = 5,280 feet
• acre = 43,560 square feet
• rood = one-fourth of an acre
Locating Boundary Lines
Some boundary lines have been marked
permanently with such landmarks as stone
walls or fences. Although these boundaries are
obvious, the actual boundary may be some
distance to one side of the landmark.
Therefore, do not assume that the landmark is
the actual boundary until you locate it as
such. In other instances, portions of walls or
fences may have been removed, or the wall or
fence may never have been completed to the
corner of the property. Occasionally, proper-
ties have been divided, and corner points
must be located. Often, no conclusive evi-
dence of a boundary line exists. The following
technique may be helpful in locating bound-
Figur e 4. Example of a step and a pace.
Figur e 5. Estimating horizontal distance on a
20-percent slope.
1 Pace
1 Step
Slope Distance 102 feet
Horizontal Distance 100 feet
20
feet
ary lines. Note that boundary work is easier
when the foliage is off the trees.
Locate a beginning-point corner that you
are sure is accurately marked. Run a test line
from this corner to the next corner by pac-
ing or taping along the appropriate bearing
for the distance indicated on the deed or
survey map. Mark the test line occasionally
with plastic flagging, strips of cloth, or other
nonpermanent markings. When you reach
the end of the measured distance, you
should be in the vicinity of the corner you
are seeking. Search for evidence of a corner
marker by walking in an ever-enlarging
series of circles (Figure 6). Such evidence
could be very meager, no more than a pile
of stones, rusted pipe, rotted stake, slight
irregularity in the terrain where the corner
was, or wire in trees where fence lines were
run. When you locate what you believe is a
corner, mark a line from this corner back to
your beginning point. Do not mark any
boundary line permanently until you are
certain the lines are located correctly.
There are several ways to locate the perma-
nent line using the test line as a reference. If
the terrain allows you to sight between two
points, mark the line directly. If this is not
possible, a series of offsets from your test line
to the permanent boundary line can be calcu-
lated (Figure 7).
Marking the Boundaries
Once you are satisfied that the boundary
line and corners have been located, notify the
adjacent property owners and obtain mutual
agreement on the boundary location. Then
the boundary lines may be permanently
marked by blazing trees or erecting mounts of
stones or a fence along the boundary lines.
If you decide to mark the boundary lines by
blazing trees, select healthy, vigorous trees
with at least a 4-inch diameter. With an ax,
remove a 4- to 6-inch square sector of bark
down to the live wood (Figure 8). Blazes can
be painted for easier identification. A bright-
red, oil-based paint is suggested. Wait until
the blaze is dry before painting. The blaze can
be identified as a boundary mark by cutting
one slash mark 3 to 4 inches above the blaze
and another 3 to 4 inches below it. Some
common marking combinations used by sur-
veyors are one slash mark for a straight line,
two slash marks for an angle, and three slash
marks for a corner.
Figur e 6. Using ever-enlarging circles to locate
actual corner marker.
Figur e 7. Using a series of offsets from a test line
to locate the permanent boundary line.
Station to Cumulative
Station Distance Distance Offset
A to B 50 feet 50 ft x .04 2 feet
B to C 50 feet 100 ft x .04 4 feet
C to D 50 feet 150 ft x .04 6 feet
20 feet/500 feet = .04
Error
Corner
20-foot
Difference
Beginning Corner
Beginning Corner
5. 54
tance, which is the distance measured over a
level area. When establishing horizontal dis-
tance on the ground, it is necessary to correct
for the slope. To measure land distances, a
measuring tape (typically 50 or 100 feet long),
the length of a step, the length of a pace, or
the length of a chain can be used.
Measurements that require a high degree of
accuracy should be made with a tape and
should be conducted over horizontal, not
sloped, distances.
The length of your step can be determined
by walking with a normal, comfortable stride
for 20 steps in a straight line, measuring the
distance, and dividing that distance by the
number of steps. Do this three times to deter-
mine your average step. An example of a step
calculation is 55 feet covered by 20 steps or 55
feet/20 steps, which equals 2.75 feet per step.
Foresters typically use the pace to measure
distance because of its ease of use. A pace is
equal to two steps and is counted each time
the right or left foot strikes the ground (Figure
4). The method used to determine the length
of a pace is similar to that used to determine
the length of step. Using the same information
from our previous sample, 55 feet covered by
10 paces equals 5.5 feet covered per pace.
With practice, pacing on level, open
ground can be fairly accurate. However, on
slopes or in brushy or rocky areas, pacing’s
accuracy decreases (Figure 5). The following
suggestions for adjusting for slope are from
the Forestry Handbook(1989) published by
Wiley-Interscience:
In difficult terrain, no attempt should
be made to maintain a standard pace.
Instead, allow for its inevitable shorten-
ing (downhill as well as uphill) by repeat-
ing the count at intervals. For example,
on moderate slopes count every tenth
pace twice: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10,
11, etc. On steeper slopes it may be
found necessary to repeat every fifth
count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, etc. On the
steepest slopes in very heavy brush, in
swamps, or among boulders, every count
may have to be repeated. Consistent
accuracy in pacing under such conditions
is attained only by constant checking.
The following units of measure are com-
monly found in Maryland deeds:
• link = 7.92 inches
• foot = 12 inches
• yard = 3 feet (36 inches)
• pole, rod, or perch = 16.5 feet
• chain = 66 feet (composed of 100 links)
• square perch = 272 square feet
• mile = 5,280 feet
• acre = 43,560 square feet
• rood = one-fourth of an acre
Locating Boundary Lines
Some boundary lines have been marked
permanently with such landmarks as stone
walls or fences. Although these boundaries are
obvious, the actual boundary may be some
distance to one side of the landmark.
Therefore, do not assume that the landmark is
the actual boundary until you locate it as
such. In other instances, portions of walls or
fences may have been removed, or the wall or
fence may never have been completed to the
corner of the property. Occasionally, proper-
ties have been divided, and corner points
must be located. Often, no conclusive evi-
dence of a boundary line exists. The following
technique may be helpful in locating bound-
Figur e 4. Example of a step and a pace.
Figur e 5. Estimating horizontal distance on a
20-percent slope.
1 Pace
1 Step
Slope Distance 102 feet
Horizontal Distance 100 feet
20
feet
ary lines. Note that boundary work is easier
when the foliage is off the trees.
Locate a beginning-point corner that you
are sure is accurately marked. Run a test line
from this corner to the next corner by pac-
ing or taping along the appropriate bearing
for the distance indicated on the deed or
survey map. Mark the test line occasionally
with plastic flagging, strips of cloth, or other
nonpermanent markings. When you reach
the end of the measured distance, you
should be in the vicinity of the corner you
are seeking. Search for evidence of a corner
marker by walking in an ever-enlarging
series of circles (Figure 6). Such evidence
could be very meager, no more than a pile
of stones, rusted pipe, rotted stake, slight
irregularity in the terrain where the corner
was, or wire in trees where fence lines were
run. When you locate what you believe is a
corner, mark a line from this corner back to
your beginning point. Do not mark any
boundary line permanently until you are
certain the lines are located correctly.
There are several ways to locate the perma-
nent line using the test line as a reference. If
the terrain allows you to sight between two
points, mark the line directly. If this is not
possible, a series of offsets from your test line
to the permanent boundary line can be calcu-
lated (Figure 7).
Marking the Boundaries
Once you are satisfied that the boundary
line and corners have been located, notify the
adjacent property owners and obtain mutual
agreement on the boundary location. Then
the boundary lines may be permanently
marked by blazing trees or erecting mounts of
stones or a fence along the boundary lines.
If you decide to mark the boundary lines by
blazing trees, select healthy, vigorous trees
with at least a 4-inch diameter. With an ax,
remove a 4- to 6-inch square sector of bark
down to the live wood (Figure 8). Blazes can
be painted for easier identification. A bright-
red, oil-based paint is suggested. Wait until
the blaze is dry before painting. The blaze can
be identified as a boundary mark by cutting
one slash mark 3 to 4 inches above the blaze
and another 3 to 4 inches below it. Some
common marking combinations used by sur-
veyors are one slash mark for a straight line,
two slash marks for an angle, and three slash
marks for a corner.
Figur e 6. Using ever-enlarging circles to locate
actual corner marker.
Figur e 7. Using a series of offsets from a test line
to locate the permanent boundary line.
Station to Cumulative
Station Distance Distance Offset
A to B 50 feet 50 ft x .04 2 feet
B to C 50 feet 100 ft x .04 4 feet
C to D 50 feet 150 ft x .04 6 feet
20 feet/500 feet = .04
Error
Corner
20-foot
Difference
Beginning Corner
Beginning Corner
6. 36
Trees that are on the line should be blazed
front and back about 5 feet above ground
level. Because few trees are actually on the
boundary line, it is acceptable to blaze trees
within 5 feet of the line with the blaze marks
face the line (Figure 9). Be sure you are still in
sight of the previous blaze when you cut the
next one. In some instances, acceptable trees
cannot be found on or near the line. In these
situations, erect mounds of stones or a fence.
Corners of property need to be marked
differently than the boundary lines, using
such markers as pipe or another permanent
item. To make the corner more evident, two
or three trees near the corner can be
marked as “witness trees” by cutting three
blazes at 4-inch intervals, one above the
other. Record these trees by taking bearings
and distances from the trees to the corner
(Figure 10). Maintain corner marks every
few years to avoid location problems and
costly surveying expenses.
Conclusion
With an accurate deed description or survey
map, the appropriate measuring equipment,
and the information in this fact sheet, you
may be able to satisfactorily locate your prop-
erty boundaries. However, locating property
boundaries can be difficult. Complicated deed
searches, errors in past surveys, or improperly
placed existing markers can result in hours of
fruitless and frustrating labor. In some cases, a
survey conducted by a licensed surveyor is the
only answer.
A landowner can request various levels
of survey work from a surveyor. At a mini-
mum, all corners should be located and
marked. Flagging the boundaries is an
additional expense, and permanently
marking the boundaries is the most expen-
sive option. When survey work is done by
a surveyor, request a copy of the field
notes for your records.
Figur e 8. An example of where on a tree to place a
blaze and what size the blaze should be.
Figur e 9. An example of how trees within 5 feet of
a property line can be blazed to mark the line.
Figur e 10. Witness trees.
6 inches
5 feet
Boundary Line
5 feet
Black Birch
Red Maple
16 feet N 30° E
10 feet
N 20° W C
A
B
S 5° E
Property Line
Blazed Trees
Red Maple
• LaPlata, Charles County—7˚ W
• Elkton, Cecil County—10˚ W
• Easton, Talbot County—8˚ W
• Salisbury, Wicomico County—91
⁄2˚ W
To establish the declination for your area,
call your local project forester, a local survey-
or, or consult a recent U.S. Geological Survey
quadrangle map for your area. These maps are
available at survey supply stores, outfitter
stores, or your local Natural Resources
Conservation Service office. A simple and reli-
able technique to adjust for declination is to
set the allowance directly on the compass
itself. In doing this, you can read true bear-
ings or azimuths directly. If you purchase a
compass, select one with this feature to aid in
your surveying efforts. (For more information
on compasses, request a copy of Fact Sheet
629 “Measuring Your Forest” from your local
Extension office.)
Before you can use deed or survey map
bearings in the field, you must determine
whether they are true or magnetic bearings. If
the deed or map does not say, the bearings are
likely magnetic. The best way to determine
whether they are true or magnetic is to take a
field bearing on a known boundary line and
compare it to the recorded bearing. Avoid car
hoods, railroad tracks, fences, and other metal
objects that may cause local magnetic interfer-
ence with the compass.
Adjusting Deed and Map
Bearings for Declination
If your map or deed bearings are true and
your compass can set the declination internal-
ly, no adjustment is necessary to establish
your true field bearing. If your compass reads
only the magnetic bearing, the declination
angle must be added in the NE and SW quad-
rants and subtracted in the SE and NW quad-
rants to obtain the magnetic bearing that is to
be shot in the field (Figure 3a). Here are some
examples:
• The true map bearing is N60˚ E (60˚ into
the NE quadrant). If you are in Charles
County, add 7˚ and shoot N67˚ E (67˚) in
the field.
• The true map bearing is S40˚ E (140˚ into
the SE quadrant). In Garrett County, sub-
tract 6˚ and shoot S34˚ E (146˚) in the field.
If your map bearings are magnetic, no
adjustment is necessary. Be aware, however,
that magnetic declination changes slightly
over time. If your deed or map description is
old, you may need to calculate the change in
declination by comparing the current bearings
of some known lines to the deed or map bear-
ings. Adjust the difference to the other lines.
Adjusting Field Bearings
for Declination
If you are taking a magnetic bearing in the
field and using a map with true bearings, you
will need to convert the magnetic bearing to a
true bearing. To determine the true bearing
from a bearing shot in the field, the declina-
tion angle must be subtracted in the NE and
SW quadrants and added in the NW and SE
quadrants (Figure 3b). Here are some examples:
• The field bearing is N60˚ E (60˚ in the NE
quadrant). In Charles County, subtract 7
and record N53˚ E (53˚) as the true bear-
ing.
• The field bearing is S40˚ E (140˚ in the SE
quadrant). In Garrett County, add 6˚ and
record S46˚ E (134˚) as the true bearing.
Measuring Distance
All maps and land surveys express the dis-
tance between two points as a horizontal dis-
Figur e 3b. Algebraic signs for changing a magnetic
bearing or azimuth to a true angle.
Figur e 3a. Algebraic signs for changing a true
bearing or azimuth to a magnetic angle.
–
–+
+
+
+–
–
7. 72
Figur e 1. Examples of typical boundary corner
markers in Maryland.
Figur e 2b. Bearings as read from a quadrant
compass.
Figur e 2a. Azimuths as read from a standard
compass.Cement or
Granite Post Stake and Stones
Pile of Rocks
With Prominent
Rock
Iron Pipe
(note bend)
Crosses on
Rocks
E 90W 90
N 60 W
150
S 30 E
200
S 40 W
S 180
S 0
N 45 E
N 0NW Quadrant
SW Quadrant SE Quadrant
NE Quadrant
and bounds survey, may give boundary
descriptions according to streams, old trees,
rock walls, and roads that have changed over
the years.
On some properties, the corners may be
clearly marked or long-time residents may be
able to help determine corner locations. A
variety of corner markers have been used in
Maryland, such as multiple blazes on trees, an
iron pipe or pin, a rock pile topped by a
pointed rock, a drill hole or other unnatural
mark on a rock, a concrete or granite post, or
the corner or crossing of two stone walls
(Figure 1). Surveyors often plant wooden
stakes for reference purposes during a survey;
however, a surveyor’s wooden stake does not
necessarily mark a corner.
If the corners of your land are known and
your abutters agree on their location, nothing
else may be needed to establish your property
boundaries. In other cases, a deed search may
be required. You can conduct this search your-
self or hire a licensed surveyor or consulting
forester to do the search. Once a deed descrip-
tion is obtained, you can draft a map of your
land with a protractor and a scale and transfer
the information to your land.
Reading a Compass
A compass sets direction based on standard
dial graduations of 360 degrees. Zero degrees
and/or 360˚ is north; 90˚ is east; 180˚ is south;
and 270˚ is west. These are called azimuths
and are found on most standard compasses
(Figure 2a). In most surveying work, the com-
pass is divided into four quadrants—NE, NW,
SE, and SW—and bearings are described by
the number of degrees and the direction in
which they depart from north or south
(Figure 2b). Thus, 60˚ is the same as N60˚ E;
110˚ is the same as S70˚ E; 220˚ is the same as
S40˚ W; and 300˚ is the same as N60˚ W.
Compasses can be purchases with these quad-
rant readings.
It is important to understand that a com-
pass needle points to magnetic north, which
is not the true north. The angle between true
north and magnetic north is called magnetic
declination. In Maryland, we have westerly
declination: a compass points west of true
north by a number of degrees, depending on
your location. Here are examples of varying
declinations in Maryland:
• Deep Creek Lake, Garrett County—6˚ W
• Clear Spring, Washington County—71
⁄2˚ W
• Frederick City, Frederick County—81
⁄2˚ W
• Olney, Montgomery County—8˚ W
References
Portions of this material were reprinted
with permission from the following sources:
Broderick, S. H. 1983. Woodland owners work -
book: Knowing your boundaries.Storrs, CT;
Cooperative Extension Service, University
of Connecticut.
Kazimir, J. 1984. Forestry handbook.New York,
NY; Wiley-Interscience–A division of John
Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Maine Public Broadcasting and University of
Maine Cooperative Extension Service.
Where is it? Yankee woodlot information
series.Orono, ME; University of Maine
Cooperative Extension Service.
Roth, F. 1994. National 4-H forestry invitation -
al 1994 handbook.Washington, DC; U.S.
Department of Agriculture-Extension
Service.
Wood, H. P. and R. W. Kulis. Woodland
boundaries.Bulletin L-206. Amherst, MA;
Cooperative Extension Service, University
of Massachusetts.
Reviewed by
Wayne Watkins
project manager
Carroll Land Services, Inc.
Paul Maslen
consultant forester
Parkton Woodland Services
Philip Pannill
regional watershed forester
Maryland Department of Natural
Resources, Forest Service
8. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Maryland, College Park,
and local governments. Thomas A. Fretz, Director of Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland.
The University of Maryland is equal opportunity. The University’s policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on
nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title
IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed
to the Director of Personnel/Human Relations, Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.
P99
Fact Sheet 619
Woodland Management: How To Determine Your Property Boundaries
by
Jonathan S. Kays
regional Extension natural r esources specialist
Wester n Maryland Research and Education Center
Rober t L. Tjaden
regional Extension natural r esources specialist
Wye Research and Education Center
Many landowners have only a vague idea
of where their property boundaries lie or
unwisely assume that existing fence lines or
walls accurately define their property bound-
aries. When land is not being managed, un-
clear boundaries may not be a problem; how-
ever, they can become important when tim-
ber cutting or improvement cutting begins.
Accurately marked property boundaries also
are needed to find exact acreage when calcu-
lating land value and property taxes. Well-
marked boundaries also can prevent timber
theft. The Annotated Code of Maryland,
Natural Resources Section 5-409, protects
landowners from pilfering of merchantable
trees and timber. It reads as follows:
Any person who willfully, negligently,
recklessly, wrongfully, or maliciously
enters upon lands or premises of another
without written permission of the
owner... in order to cut, burn, or other-
wise injure or destroy, or cause to be cut,
burned, or otherwise injured or
destroyed, any merchantable trees or tim-
ber on the land is liable to the party
injured or aggrieved in an amount triple
the value of the trees or timber cut,
burned, or otherwise injured or
destroyed. The damages are recoverable
in a civil action.
In Maryland, if someone cuts your trees
without your written consent for any reason,
the law makes it possible to recover triple the
value of the timber cut, even if the boundaries
are unmarked. This high level of protection is
greater than that of many other states.
However, the time, money, frustration, and
conflict with your management objectives for
the land affected are difficult to compensate.
Clearly marked boundaries can help minimize
such problems.
A professional survey can be costly, and
often the cost of the survey only covers the
location of corners—locating and marking
boundaries can be an added expense. This fact
sheet provides the basic information needed
to locate and mark property boundaries from
a deed description. However, if there is any
dispute about property boundaries between
neighbors, only a licensed surveyor can legally
establish boundaries in Maryland.
Deed Descriptions
The only way to locate your legal bound-
aries is to obtain a deed description or a regis-
tered survey map that accurately includes
angles and distances for each boundary line.
Many deeds, however, contain only vague
descriptions of corner markers and abutting
lands. This type of deed, referred to as a metes
How To Determine Your Property Boundaries
This fact sheet is part of a series on woodland management. If you
would like information on additional topics in the series, contact
your county Extension office.