Question

Short Leaf Pine  

Short Leaf Pine trunk   Please confirm whether or not this is a short leaf pine and if the dbh should be measured just under the first branch which is approx. 4.5ft above the ground.  The tree is located in middle Georgia.

Answer
Yes it is a shortleaf pine. The rules for measuring DBH (4 1/2 feet above the ground can vary. If you are using the DBH for a Champion tree ---"If the tree forks at or below 4 ?feet, record the smallest trunk circumference below the lowest fork. Record the height at which the measurement was taken. Trees should be considered separate if the circumference measurement below the lowest fork places the measurement on the ground"

Now IF you are determining the wood volume of the tree then measure each for as a separate "tree".
I hope this helps.